The Soviet-backed communist party in Afghanistan faced resistance from the Afghan people for several reasons, including political, religious, and ethnic factors.
Firstly, the communist party's rise to power in Afghanistan was seen as a foreign imposition, as it was backed by the Soviet Union, a foreign power. This was especially true in the rural areas of Afghanistan, where traditional tribal structures and customs were still prevalent, and where the communist party's secular, Marxist ideology was perceived as a threat to local traditions and values.
Secondly, the communist party's reforms, including land redistribution and secularization, were viewed with suspicion and resistance by the traditional power holders, including the tribal leaders, religious figures, and landowners. The party's efforts to suppress traditional practices, such as veiling, were also met with resistance from religious conservatives.
Thirdly, the communist party's policies were perceived as favoring the country's minority ethnic groups, particularly the Pashtuns, at the expense of the majority ethnic group, the Tajiks. This led to ethnic tensions and fueled resistance from Tajik-dominated regions.
The Soviet Union's military intervention in Afghanistan in 1979 to support the communist government further intensified resistance from the Afghan people. The resistance was led by a coalition of anti-communist groups, including the mujahideen, who received support from the United States and other Western countries
In summary, the Soviet-backed communist party in Afghanistan faced resistance from the Afghan people due to a combination of political, religious, and ethnic factors, including the party's secular Marxist ideology, perceived foreign imposition, reforms that threatened traditional power holders, and ethnic tensions. The Soviet Union's military intervention further intensified the resistance and ultimately led to a protracted and bloody conflict.