Various Salafist states appeared during the Soviet-Afghan war and following period of civil war breaking away from the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. The Salafist ideology was disseminated in Afghanistan by Saudi supporters of the Afghan resistance, who required ideological conformity from the Afghans in exchange for aid.[1] These states would often come under attack not just from the Soviets and the DRA but also by other Mujahedeen factions who were opposed to Saudi influence such as Hezbi Islami Gulbuddin.[2]
Several prominent men among the Salafist converts returned to Afghanistan and formed small localized states with fellow Afghan Salafists, often again with the aid of foreign backers.