Tehran-IRAF- on February 15, 1989, the last units of the Red Army left Afghanistan after nearly nine years of military presence.
The Soviet military intervention, which began in 1979, is considered one of the longest and most costly wars of the Cold War era. In addition to massive financial and infrastructural damage, the conflict claimed the lives of more than one million Afghan citizens and displaced millions more.
While the withdrawal was widely regarded as a military defeat for the Soviet Union, many observers argue that it did not mark the end of Afghanistan’s crisis, but rather paved the way for a new round of internal conflicts.
Taliban: February 15 a “Glorious Day” in Afghanistan’s History
The caretaker government of Afghanistan led by the Taliban described February 15 as one of the “glorious events” in the country’s history, crediting the jihad and resistance of the Afghan people for defeating one of the world’s great powers at the time.
The statement emphasized safeguarding independence, national unity, and vigilance against threats.
Qari Mohammad Yousuf Ahmadi, Director General of National Radio and Television, said at a commemorative ceremony that the day demonstrates nations are not defeated by weapons, but achieve victory through faith, unity, and perseverance.
Noor Mohammad Saqib, Acting Minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs, stated that anyone harboring ill intentions toward Afghanistan would face a firm response, adding that the current government seeks peace and security.
Abdul Salam Hanafi, the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister, noted that Afghans by nature do not accept foreign occupation and aggression, and that occupiers have always been defeated by the people’s resistance.
Madar Ali Karimi, Deputy Minister of Urban Development, described the victory over the Soviet Union as a historic lesson in faith and unity for future generations.
According to the newspaper 8 Sobh, the government declared February 15 a public holiday. Meanwhile, in Russia and Belarus, commemorations were held for soldiers killed in the Afghan war.
Analytical Narratives; From a “Global Turning Point” to the Need for Critical Reassessment
Alongside official positions, several political and academic figures offered analytical perspectives.
Dr. Fazl Hadi Wazin, in an article titled “Thirty Brief Truths About the Afghan Jihad and the Defeat of the Former Soviet Union,” described the Afghan jihad as one of the most decisive events in modern Afghan — and even global — history.
Referring to the role of the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan and developments leading to the April 1978 coup (Saur Revolution), he argued that popular resistance was the primary factor behind the Red Army’s defeat and that this event contributed to accelerating the Soviet Union’s collapse. He emphasized the need for an impartial study of jihad history, avoiding “all-white” or “all-black” narratives.
Hojatoleslam Hashemi Rasti also described February 15 as a turning point in Afghanistan’s contemporary history, stating that the Red Army’s withdrawal formally ended one of the most complex wars of the 20th century a war that influenced not only Afghanistan’s destiny but also the global balance of power.
Emphasis on National Unity and Learning from the Past
Some figures adopted a more critical perspective on the post-withdrawal consequences.
Shah Hussein Mortazavi noted that Soviet intervention occurred at the invitation of certain factions at the time, stressing that Afghanistan’s experience shows reliance on great powers does not bring lasting peace. He urged Afghans to preserve national unity and strengthen a culture of mutual acceptance in pursuit of development.
Abdul Qayum Sajjadi, in an article titled “The Dual Image of the Afghan Jihad,” wrote that while the Red Army’s withdrawal symbolized resistance and pride, the subsequent civil wars left a negative image of jihad. He emphasized strengthening cultural and political soft power and avoiding ethnic or sectarian interpretations of national achievements.
Abdul Jabbar Akbari described February 15 as “a symbol of the end of occupation and the beginning of historical responsibility,” calling it an opportunity to reaffirm national unity and build an independent future.
Criticism of Post-Victory Management and the Outbreak of Civil War
Dr. Aziz Bariz, while honoring the victims of war, stated that jihad leaders lacked adequate preparedness for governance after victory, and their internal disputes led to civil wars. He also pointed to the role of neighboring countries and major powers in prolonging the crisis, as well as developments following the September 11 attacks and the Taliban’s return to power, which further complicated Afghanistan’s situation.
Abdul Hai Khorasani described the Soviet defeat by Afghan mujahideen as a sign of the resilience of Afghanistan’s identity and culture, but emphasized that post-withdrawal events require serious academic and critical evaluation. He warned that misuse of jihad achievements by certain individuals should not undermine the broader resistance of the Afghan people.
A Lasting Yet Controversial Day
The reflections on the 37th anniversary of the Soviet withdrawal demonstrate that February 15 remains one of the most significant and at the same time controversial moments in Afghanistan’s contemporary history.
For some, it symbolizes the triumph of faith and resistance against a superpower. For others, it represents a historic opportunity lost due to internal divisions, leading to the devastating civil wars of the 1990s.
Although the withdrawal of the Red Army ended military occupation, it did not bring lasting peace to Afghanistan. Instead, it marked the beginning of a new chapter of internal rivalry and power struggles the consequences of which continue to this day
