Afghan Liberation Day in 2019 Afghanistan National Holiday observed in Afghanistan

When is Afghan Liberation Day?

How long until Liberation Day?
This holiday next takes place in 3 Days.
Dates of Liberation Day
Year	Weekday	Date
2020	Saturday	February 15th
2019	Friday	February 15th
2018	Thursday	February 15th
Duration
1 Day
Summary
Marks the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989

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

The day commemorates the final withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan on 15 February 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 27 December 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 2 million Afghans died in the conflict with around 6 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 15 February 1989, the last Soviet troops left the country.