(MENAFN- Khaama Press) Thirty-four years ago, on February 15, 1989, the last Soviet Soldier crossed the Afghan-Soviet border ending one of the bloodiest wars in the history of Afghanistan. Today, 15 February, has been declared a holiday to mark the anniversary of the withdrawal of former Soviet forces from the country.
The former Soviet Union sent thousands of troops into Afghanistan, controlling the country Politically and militarily. The invasion of Afghanistan longed almost nine years, from December 1979 to 15 Feb 1989. The presence of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan is considered one of the lasting legacies of the Cold War.
On the other hand, the United States and its regional allies, notably Pakistan, launched a containment policy to compel Moscow to withdraw from the country. After nine years of war in the country with the direct financial support of the US and Saudi Arabia and technical training by Pakistan, the former Soviet Union withdrew from the country. It finally led to the collapse of the pro-Soviet government in Afghanistan.
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan led to the killing of nearly two million Afghans and left other thousands disabled in the war.
After the withdrawal of the Soviets, the US left the country in a dire humanitarian crisis and civil war, along with the interference of the regional powers till 2001.
The September 11 attacks on the United States and the subsequent invasion of Afghanistan led to the newly established government in the country. The US and its allies both economically and militarily backed the government.
The Doha agreement on February 2020 between the US and the Taliban negotiation team undermined the Kabul government and led to the collapse of the system in the country.
On August 2021, the Taliban retook control of the country and established its Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The international community and organizations have not recognized the caretaker till now.
Since the collapse of the previous regime, the country has faced several economic, humanitarian, and legitimacy crises. The US and its allies left the people alone in a dire humanitarian crisis that once had been claimed as the strategic partner.
On the 34th anniversary of the Soviet Union, the caretaker government in Kabul called for a positive interaction with the world on occasion. The present government in Kabul said,“If the countries have a clear and good interaction with us, we are also ready to have a positive interaction, keeping in mind our religious and national interests.”
On February 15 1989, 34 years ago, the former Soviet Union announced the complete withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan, thus ending a nine-year war that took a heavy toll on Afghan life.
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