Liberation Day is a public holiday in Afghanistan, and it is observed on February 15 each year. The holiday marks the final withdrawal of the Soviet troops from Afghanistan on February 15, 1989.
In 1978, the communist People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) seized power during the Saur Revolution and established the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. The PDPA initiated social, symbolic, and land distribution reforms, which provoked strong opposition from the more traditional religious conservatives.
A civil war occurred in Afghanistan following the rebels and brutal oppression. The United States and Pakistan supported the rebels, while the Soviet Union supported the PDPA regime. In 1979, the situation deteriorated after the assassination of the PDPA General Secretary. The Soviet Army invaded the country on December 24, 1979 to support the ruling PDPA, which triggered the Soviet-Afghan War.
The Soviet troops, along with the allied Afghan Army, fought against large waves of rebels, backed by external support from countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Pakistan, and several others. After 9 years of fight, the Soviet Union eventually conceded and withdrew its troops. The complete withdrawal started on May 15, 1988 and ended on February 15, 1989.
During the war, about 2 million Afghans died, about 6 million people fled to the neighboring countries, and many villages were destroyed.
The following is the list of Liberation Day in Afghanistan from 2022 to 2026.
| Holiday | Date | Weekday |
|---|---|---|
| Liberation Day | Feb 15, 2022 | Tuesday |
| Liberation Day | Feb 15, 2023 | Wednesday |
| Liberation Day | Feb 15, 2024 | Thursday |
| Liberation Day | Feb 15, 2025 | Saturday |
| Liberation Day | Feb 15, 2026 | Sunday |
Please check more public holidays in Afghanistan: