On January 13, 1990, the Soviet Union officially began withdrawing its forces from Afghanistan, after nearly a decade of military involvement. The withdrawal came after the Soviet-backed Afghan government faced strong resistance from rebel forces. The war had resulted in significant casualties, and the Soviet Union was forced to deal with growing internal unrest. The end of the conflict led to the eventual collapse of the Soviet-backed Afghan government. The withdrawal marked a significant moment in the Cold War, as the Soviet Union ended its direct involvement in Afghanistan.