Sunday, Feb. 15, marks the 37th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan. Taliban marked the day at a ceremony in Kabul, describing it as a day of “pride and gratitude” in the nation’s history.
In a statement, the Taliban said the “jihad, struggle, sacrifices, migration and suffering” endured by Afghans had led to the defeat of the former Soviet Red Army, whose last troops left Afghanistan on Feb. 15, 1989, after a decade-long war.
They warned that foreign powers should take lessons from what it called repeated invasions over the past century and not again move against Afghanistan’s “freedom and independence”.
Taliban officials held commemorative events in Kabul and other cities.
Abdul Salam Hanafi, the Taliban’s administrative deputy chief minister, said at a ceremony that Afghans “by nature do not accept occupation or foreign aggression” and that occupiers had repeatedly been defeated through resistance.
Noor Mohammad Saqib, the Taliban’s minister for hajj and religious affairs, said those with ill intentions toward Afghanistan would face a harsh response, while adding that the country sought a life of peace and security and would not allow anyone to threaten its stability or that of other nations.
Ziaur Rahman Aryoobi, Taliban deputy minister for higher education, said the re-establishment of their rule had ensured nationwide security and safeguarded religion, property and honour, citing what he described as achievements in politics, the economy, education and the military.
The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979 after the installation of a Moscow-backed government under Babrak Karmal. The 40th Army of the Soviet Red Army fought a decade-long war against Afghan mujahideen forces, a conflict marked by heavy casualties, including among civilians.
Following the Soviet withdrawal across the Hairatan border bridge into what is now Uzbekistan, Afghanistan descended into years of civil war.
The Taliban-run labour ministry has declared Sunday a public holiday to mark the anniversary.
