From Jihad to Victory: April 28 Marked in Afghanistan’s Historical Memory

DID Press: Afghanistan is observing the 34th anniversary of the collapse of the communist regime on Tuesday, the 8th of Saur (April 28), a landmark event widely regarded as a turning point in the country’s modern history.

On this day, Afghan Mujahideen forces brought an end to 14 years of armed resistance against the communist-backed government in Kabul, culminating in the fall of President Dr. Mohammad Najibullah’s administration.

The Mujahideen, after years of conflict beginning in the aftermath of the (April 1978) Revolution and the Soviet intervention, succeeded in overthrowing the regime in 1992, an outcome many citizens view as the result of prolonged struggle and sacrifice.

The event is remembered as a historic victory shaped by heavy human and economic costs, reflecting one of the most turbulent chapters in Afghanistan’s contemporary past.

However, alongside its symbolic significance, April 28 also marks the beginning of a new phase of political instability. The aftermath of the victory was followed by internal conflicts among Mujahideen factions over power-sharing, leading to widespread violence, tens of thousands of civilian casualties, destruction of infrastructure, and prolonged displacement and poverty.