📅 On This Day in Military History

May 15

2 events across history

⚔️📍 Israel and Palestine1948

Arab Armies Invade Israel — First Arab-Israeli War

Armies from Egypt, Transjordan, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon invaded the newly declared State of Israel, intending to destroy it. The Arab League expected a swift victory over the outnumbered Israeli forces.

Israel's survival against five Arab armies stunned the world and established the IDF as one of the region's most capable fighting forces.

Outcome

Israeli victory; armistice agreements signed 1949

🏔️Soviet-Afghan War1988

Soviet Withdrawal Begins

Following the signing of the Geneva Accords in April 1988, the phased Soviet withdrawal began. General Boris Gromov became the last Soviet soldier to cross the Friendship Bridge over the Amu Darya River on February 15, 1989 — he walked across alone for maximum symbolic effect, photographed by the world's press. The withdrawal marked the end of active Soviet participation in the war.

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