Soviet Withdrawal from Afghanistan: February 15, 1989

On February 15, 1989, the Soviet Union officially announced the complete withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan, marking the end of a nine-year military intervention that began in December 1979. This event was a significant turning point in both Afghan and Soviet history, with far-reaching implications.

Background

The Soviet intervention in Afghanistan began on December 24, 1979, when Soviet forces entered the country to support the communist government of the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) against insurgent groups known collectively as the Mujahideen. The intervention was part of the Cold War dynamics, with the Soviet Union seeking to maintain influence in Afghanistan amidst fears of Islamic insurgency and Western encroachment.

The Conflict

The Soviet-Afghan War was characterized by brutal guerrilla warfare, with the Mujahideen receiving substantial support from the United States, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and other countries. The conflict resulted in significant casualties and destruction, with estimates of Afghan civilian deaths ranging from 500,000 to 2 million. The war also displaced millions of Afghans, creating a massive refugee crisis.

Withdrawal

The decision to withdraw was influenced by several factors:

• Military Stalemate: The Soviet forces were unable to achieve a decisive victory against the Mujahideen, who were adept at guerrilla tactics and had the advantage of local terrain knowledge.
• Economic Strain: The prolonged conflict placed a heavy economic burden on the Soviet Union, which was already facing internal economic challenges.
• Political Pressure: International condemnation and domestic discontent over the war pressured Soviet leadership to seek a resolution.

The withdrawal was formalized through the Geneva Accords, signed in April 1988, which outlined a timetable for the withdrawal of Soviet troops and non-interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.

Aftermath

• Afghanistan: The withdrawal left Afghanistan in a state of civil war, as the Mujahideen factions turned against each other and the PDPA government. This instability eventually led to the rise of the Taliban in the mid-1990s.
• Soviet Union: The withdrawal marked a significant moment in the decline of Soviet influence and was a precursor to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
• Global Impact: The end of the Soviet-Afghan War shifted the geopolitical landscape, influencing U.S. foreign policy and contributing to the end of the Cold War.

The Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan remains a pivotal moment in history, illustrating the complexities of foreign intervention and its long-term consequences.