Military history of Angola

During the Cold War, Angola was involved in struggles between Western powers and South Africa with the help of the Soviet Union and Cuba.

By the end of the war, Kongo's vaunted capital had been destroyed and many BaKongo were sold into the Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

However, during the Angolan Civil War the Cuban Military would aid the MPLA while other nations such as the People's Republic of China and Zaire would support UNITA and the FNLA.

The conflict ended with the collapse of the USSR, with both Angola and South Africa removing their troops, and Namibia becoming an independent state.

The conflict was between the communist MPLA and Cuba against FNLA and UNITA, who in turn received support and assistance from the US via South Africa and Zaire.

The United States and the Soviet Union downplayed their involvement due to their own military problems in Vietnam and Afghanistan, and they participated through their various proxies only, although several USSR officers were killed and captured in Angola by the South Africans.