In commemoration of the 32nd anniversary of the mujahideen’s victory against the former Soviet invasion, the Taliban have declared the full implementation of their Islamic system in Afghanistan. Simultaneously, the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan has issued a statement declaring Afghanistan under Taliban control as “more dangerous than the time of the Soviet invasion and their occupation of the country.” The National Resistance Front (NRF) of Afghanistan has called on Afghan freedom fighters to unite against the Taliban regime and fulfill their responsibility towards future generations. However, some citizens argue that instead of ensuring justice and establishing a government based on the rule of law, the mujahideen were the cause of civil wars resulting in thousands of deaths and millions displaced.
On the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the mujahideen’s victory over the Soviet invasion, the Taliban regime declared the full implementation of the “Islamic system” in Afghanistan. In a Taliban statement, they noted that 46 years ago, on the date of 7th Saur 1357 (April 27, 1978), “foreign-backed communists” staged a coup in Afghanistan. The Taliban viewed 8th Saur 1371 (April 28, 1992) as the day of the Afghan people’s victory, while political and military factions affiliated with the mujahideen consider the Taliban presence in Afghanistan more dangerous than the era of the Soviet invasion.
The National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan, composed of leaders of political parties and officials from the previous government, has called on political and military factions to commence “broad resistance” against the Taliban on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the mujahideen’s victory over the Soviet Union’s invasion.
In its statement, the council stated that it would consider all options of resistance against the Taliban. It emphasized that the Taliban’s presence in Afghanistan is a result of ongoing foreign interventions, crises, and historical injustices.
The National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan emphasized that Afghanistan under Taliban control is “more dangerous than the time of the Soviet invasion and their occupation of the country.” According to the council, the Taliban do not believe in dialogue for resolving Afghanistan’s issues, and all political, military, civilian, and Afghan people must embark on the path of resistance against this group.
The council also criticized the global community’s approach to the Taliban: “World countries have turned a blind eye to all this oppression and terror, and they are engaging with this group.”
Simultaneously, the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, while emphasizing the commemoration of 8th Saur and honoring the sacrifices of the mujahideen, stated: “Our country is under the invasion and occupation of the terrorist group Taliban and more than twenty other terrorist groups. The oppression, injustice, violence, and tyranny of this terrorist group and criminals have turned the country into a large open prison for its citizens.”
NRF added that inspired by former mujahideen, they initiated their political and military struggle against the Taliban from the first days of their presence in the country to free Afghanistan from their grip. They are committed to not hesitating to strive for freedom based on historical teachings and unity with other forces and movements.
This front has urged all the people of Afghanistan and freedom fighters to stand united against the Taliban to make Afghanistan a “safe home” for all political, social, and cultural spectrums. The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan has requested regional countries and the international community to end their “irresponsible and appeasement policies towards the terrorist regime of the Taliban.” According to this front, the Taliban have turned Afghanistan into a haven for terrorist groups.
However, some citizens of the country argue that differences among mujahideen leaders after their victory have led to an increase in internal conflicts and sparked devastating wars and displacement in the country. According to them, the mujahideen failed to manage Afghanistan and prevented the formation of a stable system in the country.
Gholam Mohammad Doorandish, a resident of Ghor province, states that the mujahideen failed to succeed in governance and ensure justice, unable to establish a political system based on the will of the people of Afghanistan. According to him, the post-victory wars of the mujahideen among themselves had devastating consequences for Afghanistan, leading to the migration and displacement of millions from the country.
Ahmad Jaihoon, a resident of Kabul, who witnessed firsthand the wars among the armed factions in this city, says that the mujahideen became embroiled in internal conflicts after the victory, resulting in countless destructions for Afghanistan. He adds, “When someone witnesses the relentless gunfire of the mujahideen, particularly Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s unrestrained rocket attacks in Kabul, it’s apparent they harbor memories of sorrow and pain.”
Ahmad Iqbal, a resident of Badakhshan province, says that the expectations of the people from the mujahideen at that time were not met, and their internal factional conflicts resulted in tens of thousands killed in the civil wars and millions more forced into migration. He adds that the consequences of the bloody wars of the mujahideen will always remain in the heart of the history of Afghanistan.
However, Ali Ahmad Jalali, a former Interior Minister of Afghanistan, wrote on his Facebook page that the 7th and 8th Saur (Solar Hijri Calender dates) are two pivotal days in Afghanistan’s historical calendar. He stated: “Amidst all these, the mistakes and excesses of the mujahideen after their victory cannot overshadow the tragedies of the dictatorial rule of the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), nor can the power-hungry and violent struggles of the mujahideen be perceived as a salvational movement.”
Mr. Jalali added that both dates mark the beginning of difficult years in Afghanistan’s history. He expressed hope that “one day, the people of Afghanistan will achieve the will and capability for transitional justice. Neglecting to learn from history poses the danger of repeating tragedies.”
Simultaneously, some citizens argue that politicians have not learned lessons from past bitter events, and Afghanistan is still under “the occupation of oppressors and proxy forces.” According to them, if the people of Afghanistan and political forces do not unite, the continuation of Taliban rule will lead the country down an irreversible path.
It’s important to note that both supporters and opponents exist regarding the 7th and 8th of Saur in Afghanistan. Opponents view these days as the onset of misfortune and displacement in the country, emphasizing the necessity of liberating Afghanistan from the Taliban and other extremists for the sake of freedom and justice.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
هشت ثور و پیامهای مجاهدین؛ افغانستان تحت کنترل طالبان «خطرناکتر از زمان اشغال شوروی است»
