On January 18, 1985, the US announces it will increase its aid to Afghan mujahideen in 1985 to approximately $280 million.

In May, pressure from the Pakistanis, from outside supporters, and from the guerrilla commanders forces the seven major resistance groups based in Peshawar to form an alliance to coordinate their political and military operations against the Soviet occupation.

Inside Afghanistan, neighboring ethnolinguistically oriented resistance groups unite for military and political purposes within their various regions.

Internal struggles for leadership also occur in certain areas where the Soviets wield little influence, such as Hazarajat and Nuristan.

Although no national liberation front exists, the resistance groups begin to feel that they are part of an overall effort to liberate Afghanistan.

Late in the year, the mujahideen are active in and around Kabul, launching rocket attacks and assassinating high government officials.

The failure of the Soviet Union to win over a significant number of Afghan collaborators or to rebuild a viable Afghan army forces it to bear an increasing responsibility for fighting the resistance and for civilian administration.