Liberation Day in 2025

When is Afghan Liberation Day?

Afghan Liberation Day is a public holiday in Afghanistan observed on February 15th.

The day commemorates the final withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan on February 15th 1989.

History of Afghan Liberation Day

In April 1978, the Saur Revolution led to the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) gaining power and the death of the President, Mohammed Daoud Khan.

The PDPA declared the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, with Nur Muhammad Taraki as its first President.

The reformist policies of the PDPA led to a civil war between regime forces and the mujahideen, with the Soviet Union sending thousands of military advisers to support the PDPA regime.

In September 1979, President Taraki was assassinated in a coup within the PDPA led by Hafizullah Amin, who became the president. Angered by Amin's government, the Soviet Union invaded the country on December 27th 1979, killing Amin that same day.

The Soviets installed Babrak Karmal as President and deployed more troops to quell the resistance. This effectively started the Soviet-Afghan War.

During the war, it is estimated that up to two million Afghans died in the conflict with around six million fleeing the country, mainly to Pakistan and Iran.

Faced with mounting international pressure, limited military success and numerous casualties, the Soviets signed a peace accord in 1998 and began to withdraw from Afghanistan.

On February 15th 1989, the last Soviet troops left the country.