IEA marks 37th anniversary of Soviet withdrawal

KABUL (Pajhwok): Marking the 37th anniversary of the withdrawal of former Soviet Union forces from Afghanistan, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) on Sunday said aggressor powers should draw lessons from history and refrain from again taking steps against the freedom and independence of the Afghan people.

The 26th of Dalwa marks 37 years since the withdrawal of former Soviet forces from Afghanistan.

Thirty-seven years ago, after nearly a decade of war, Soviet forces were defeated and withdrew from Afghanistan on the 26th of Dalwa 1369 via the Hairatan border crossing in the country’s north.

In a statement issued to commemorate the occasion, the Islamic Emirate said: “By the grace of Almighty Allah, and as a result of the jihad, struggle, sacrifices, migration, and hardships endured by all Afghans and Muslims against the former Soviet Union, the Afghan people were granted the honor of defeating a great power like the Soviet Union and compelling it to withdraw from Afghanistan.”

The statement added: “With the help of Allah Almighty, Afghanistan has been liberated from occupation for the third time in the past century, demonstrating that our Muslim people possess firm determination and commitment to safeguarding their religion and maintaining independence.”

The IEA said repeated invasions over the past century — and the successful resistance against them — should serve as a lesson to aggressor forces not to once again act against Afghanistan’s freedom and sovereignty.

The statement further emphasized that Afghans must remain vigilant against all forms of conspiracies and plots and, by preserving their strong resolve and Islamic unity, follow the path of their forefathers in protecting their religion, beliefs, and independence.

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