Communist movement in Cambodia (Kampuchea)
that formed the largest opposition group to
the US-backed regime led by Lon Nol 1970-75.
By 1974 the Khmer Rouge controlled the
countryside, and in 1975 the capital, Phnom
Penh, was captured and Sihanouk installed as
head of state. Internal disagreements led to
the creation of the Pol Pot government 1976
and mass deportations and executions. From
1978, when Vietnam invaded the country, the
Khmer Rouge conducted a guerrilla campaign
against the Vietnamese forces. Pol Pot
retired as military leader 1985 and was
succeeded by the more moderate Khieu Samphan.
Folllowing the withdrawal of Vietnamese
forces in 1989, the Khmer Rouge continued its
warfare against the Vietnamese-backed
government.