Soviet Army Withdraws from Afghanistan

May 15th, 1988

May 15th, 1988

Soviet Army Withdraws from Afghanistan
How Long Ago?

36 years, 10 months ago

Location

Afghanistan

Category

Military & Warfare

War/Conflict

Soviet–Afghan War

People
  • Mikhail Gorbachev
  • Boris Gromov
Links & References
Tags

Soviet Army Withdraws from Afghanistan

The Soviet Army began withdrawing its 115,000 soldiers from Afghanistan in a significant military operation that marked the end of a prolonged conflict. Amid increasing guerrilla resistance and international pressure, the Soviet leadership decided to scale back its military presence in the country. This withdrawal, initiated under General Boris Gromov's command, was part of a larger Soviet shift in foreign policy as the Cold War tensions began to ease.

115,000 Soviet troops withdrawn from Afghanistan

Withdrawal plan was announced by Gorbachev in 1986

Conflict lasted over eight years with heavy casualties

Marked a significant shift in Cold War dynamics

What Happened?

The Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan was a pivotal moment in Cold War history. Initiated after more than eight years of combat against insurgent forces—including the Mujahideen—the decision to withdraw came amid escalating costs and fallout from the conflict. In 1979, the Soviet Union had intervened in Afghanistan, acting to support the communist government against opposition forces. However, this mission proved far more challenging than anticipated. By the mid-1980s, the USSR was under substantial pressure both from the United States and its own citizens, who were questioning the justification of the war. The withdrawal plan, announced by President Mikhail Gorbachev in 1986 and executed in 1988, included a phased pullout of troops, culminating in the departure of the last major military units. The Soviet Union aimed to leave behind a semblance of stability while attempting to improve its international standing through diplomacy. The final exit of the Soviet forces symbolized a significant shift in global geopolitics, as it not only marked the decline of Cold War-era conflicts but also the emergence of new power dynamics in Central Asia. The conflict had devastating effects on Afghanistan, leading to long-standing instability and civil war.

Why Does it Matter?

The withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan is fascinating due to its implications for both regional and global politics. It weakened Soviet influence in Central Asia and emboldened various factions within Afghanistan and the wider Muslim world. Furthermore, the Soviet defeat was a contributing factor to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union itself, demonstrating the broader consequences of military engagements that run counter to a nation's strategic interests. The aftermath also enabled the rise of extremist groups that would shape global security concerns in the coming decades.

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