The 1992–1996 Afghan Civil War took place between 28 April 1992—the date a new interim Afghan government was supposed to replace the Republic of Afghanistan of President Mohammad Najibullah—and the Taliban's conquest of Kabul establishing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan on 27 September 1996.

The war immediately followed the 1989-1992 civil war with the mujahideen victory and dissolution of the Republic of Afghanistan in April 1992. The Hezb-e Islami Gulbuddin, led by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and supported by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), refused to form a coalition government and tried to seize Kabul. On 25 April 1992 fighting broke out between three, and later five or six, mujahideen armies. Alliances between the combatants were transitory throughout the war.

The Taliban, a new militia formed with support from Pakistan and ISI, became dominant in 1995-96. It captured Kandahar in late-1994, Herat in 1995, Jalalabad in early-September 1996, and Kabul by late-September 1996. The Taliban fought the newly-formed Northern Alliance in the subsequent 1996-2001 civil war.

Kabul's population fell from two million to 500,000 during the 1992–1996 war; 500,000 fled during the first four months.

The Afghan Civil War of 1992-1996 was a period of intense conflict in Afghanistan that followed the collapse of the Soviet-backed government in 1992. The war was fought between different factions of Afghan society, including the Taliban, who rose to power during this period. The conflict was marked by widespread violence, including human rights abuses and war crimes, and caused significant humanitarian suffering.

One of the main causes of the Afghan Civil War was the collapse of the Soviet-backed government, which had been in power since the 1970s. As the Soviet Union dissolved in the early 1990s, the government in Afghanistan lost its main source of support, leading to political instability and economic collapse. This created an opportunity for various factions to seize power, leading to a power struggle that eventually turned violent.

Another factor that contributed to the conflict was the ethnic and religious diversity of Afghanistan. The country is home to several different ethnic groups, including Pashtuns, Tajiks, Uzbeks, and Hazaras, as well as different religious groups such as Sunni and Shia Muslims. These divisions became increasingly prominent as different groups fought for power and control of territory.

The conflict also saw significant involvement from external actors, with different factions receiving support from foreign governments and groups. For example, the Taliban received support from Pakistan, while other factions received support from Iran and Russia. This external support prolonged the conflict and made it more difficult to resolve.

Overall, the Afghan Civil War of 1992-1996 was a period of intense conflict and suffering for the people of Afghanistan. The collapse of the Soviet-backed government, ethnic and religious divisions, and external involvement all contributed to the conflict. The legacy of this period of Afghan history continues to shape the country's politics and society today.