KABUL -- President Ashraf Ghani marked the 29th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, paying tribute to Afghans who lost their lives during the Soviet occupation.
The former Soviet Union officially announced the complete withdrawal of its troops from Afghanistan on February 15, 1989.
Millions of Afghans lost their lives and millions others fled abroad during the invasion, which began in December 1979.
"[February] 15 marks the end of the Soviet Union occupation of Afghanistan. Since the invasion Afghans have paid a heavy price in life and treasure," Ghani said in a tweet on Thursday (February 15) marking the anniversary.
"I pay tribute to the Afghan nation in [the] fight against the Soviets and to those who have lost their lives during and after the withdrawal," he said.
