On This Day: May 15, 1988 - Soviet Army Began Withdrawal From Afghanistan After 8 Year Occupation

On this day May 15, 1988, the Soviet Union officially began withdrawing its military forces from Afghanistan, ending more than eight years of occupation in one of the most brutal and costly conflicts of the Cold War. The withdrawal started with the first wave of Soviet troops leaving the country as part of an agreement brokered under the Geneva Accords. In total, 115,000 Soviet soldiers were involved in the occupation.

The Soviet Afghan War began in 1979 when Soviet forces invaded to support the communist government against insurgent groups known collectively as the Mujahideen. Over the years, the conflict escalated into a bloody and devastating war marked by guerrilla tactics, heavy civilian casualties and international condemnation. It also became a proxy battlefield in the broader Cold War, with the United States and other nations providing support to the Mujahideen.

The withdrawal process continued through February 1989 and marked a major turning point in Soviet foreign policy. It also exposed the limitations of Soviet military power and contributed to growing unrest and economic strain within the USSR.

Fun fact: The Soviet Union lost over 15,000 soldiers during the Afghan War, and the conflict is often referred to as the Soviet Union’s Vietnam.