NOV 10 , 19 : 29 Updated 20:38 The militia said that the Taliban remain in contact with IS and Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. Ali Maisam Nazari, head of the foreign relations department of the National Resistance Front Afghanistan, which opposes the Taliban, said that the recent killings of Afghan public figures and politicians, as well as terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, “were carried out under the guise of ISIS” by Taliban militants.

CAIRO, November 10. /tass/. The radical Taliban movement that seized power in Afghanistan (banned in the Russian Federation) maintains close contacts with the terrorist groups Islamic State (IS) and Al-Qaeda (both banned in the Russian Federation). This was stated on Wednesday in an interview with a TASS correspondent by the head of the foreign relations department of the Afghan National Resistance Front, which opposes the Taliban, Ali Maisam Nazari.

“The Taliban’s contacts with international terrorism remain inextricable. The Taliban are simply not able to break these ties, because thanks to them, terrorists have the opportunity to acquire legitimacy. All expectations that the Taliban will separate from extremist groups are absolutely groundless, ” he said.

“Every day, the Taliban provide support to terrorist groups and strengthen them. To date, there are no clear lines of demarcation between the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State in Afghanistan, ” the source added.

According to the representative of the militia, the recent killings of Afghan public figures and politicians, as well as terrorist attacks in Afghanistan, “were committed under the guise of ISIS” by Taliban militants. “The Taliban, ISIS or Al-Qaeda terrorists may have different names and cover -ups, but from the point of view of their ideology, they are the same,” Nazari said.

In addition, the representative of the NRF stressed that the Taliban also maintain close contacts with the terrorist organization “Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan” (banned in Russia) and with the extremist group “Jamaat Ansarullah “banned in Tajikistan.

“The Taliban’s close contacts with international terrorists threaten not only the countries of the Central Asian region, but also the entire world,” Nazari concluded.

Russia’s stabilizing role

Nazari said that Russia plays a very active and stabilizing role in Afghanistan and is able to ensure peace in this country.

“We believe that countries all over the world should unite to solve the problems of Afghanistan, especially the countries of the region, such as the Russian Federation, which is increasingly playing a very active and stabilizing role here. ..> With a wealth of experience, she is able to offer a reasonable solution to existing problems. >..”Russia is capable of playing a positive role in order to bring stability and peace to Afghanistan,” he stressed.

In particular, he positively assessed Moscow’s desire to ensure the inclusive nature of political processes on Afghan territory. “Russia, like other countries in the region, can play an even more positive role by exerting pressure on the Taliban <…> in order to ensure the freedom of the northern, western and central parts of Afghanistan, that is, the majority of the population,” the source added.

At the same time, Nazari noted that the solution of the existing problems in the state should be acceptable to the majority of the Afghan population. “So far, we see that the fate of Afghanistan is determined by a minority, and most of the people in various parts of the country remain forgotten. < … > Therefore, we are speaking not only on behalf of the [northern] province of Panjshir, but on behalf of the entire Afghan people,” the representative of the militia summed up.

Talks with the Taliban

Nazari said that the Afghan National Resistance Front is not conducting any negotiations with the leadership of the radical Taliban movement that seized power in the country.

“We currently have absolutely no contacts with the Taliban terrorist group. Initially, we were ready for a peaceful solution to the problems of Afghanistan, for a peaceful transit of power and building a new country based on the existing realities. However, we have seen that the Taliban do not want to have anything to do with the real structure of Afghan society and alternative [political] forces,” the source said.

Commenting on reports about the possible location of the leader of the Federal Tax Service Ahmad Masoud in Tajikistan or Iran, the representative of the militia pointed out that “Masoud is on a permanent basis in Afghanistan, but sometimes he really goes to other countries to meet with representatives of different states.”

Speaking about the situation in the ranks of the militia, Nazari noted that every day more and more Afghans join the ranks of the Federal Tax Service. “The state of affairs of the Federal Tax Service, especially in Panjshir province, is very good. Our pressure on the Taliban is increasing. We are present in various parts of Panjshir, as well as in Andarab (district of Baghlan province – approx. TASS), in the north of Kabul province, in Kapis, Badakhshan, Takhar and in some other regions, continuing its activities and increasing its influence day by day. The people of Afghanistan choose the path of the Federal Tax Service to confront the Taliban terrorists, “he concluded, without naming the exact number of militia, noting that”it is of a nationwide nature.”

According to the representative of the Federal Tax Service, full-fledged peace and stability in Afghanistan can be ensured only with the inclusive participation of all ethnic and religious minorities. “In Afghanistan, no one can be called the majority, but the Taliban, representing only one of the minorities, want to rule the entire country. < … > By negotiating, and not only on behalf of Panjshir, but on behalf of the entire people of Afghanistan, we sought to build a new structure [of governance] that would be acceptable to all Afghans,” he said.

The militia believes that the most acceptable political system for Afghanistan involves decentralization. “One of the reasons for the political crisis in the country was the centralization of all power in Kabul,” Nazari concluded.

​​​​​​The situation in Afghanistan

The Taliban launched a large-scale operation to establish control over Afghanistan after the US announced in the spring that it would withdraw its armed forces from the country. On August 15, the Taliban entered Kabul without a fight, and President Ashraf Ghani left the country. Forces that did not agree with the radical government organized a resistance in the northern province of Panjshir, which was led by Ahmad Masood. Former Vice-President Amrullah Saleh, who declared himself acting head of state, called for his support.

On September 6, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid informed that Panjshir was completely under the control of the Taliban, so the war in Afghanistan is over. In turn, Masood announced that the confrontation with the Taliban continues, calling on all residents of the country to a nationwide uprising. As Nazari later clarified, the resistance is turning to guerrilla warfare tactics.

Despite the terrorist attacks and armed attacks against civilians in Afghanistan over the past three months, Taliban representatives have repeatedly stated that the problem of IS in the country has been completely eliminated, emphasizing that “this is no longer a threat, but only a headache” for the Afghan people.

“The Taliban’s close contacts with international terrorists threaten not only the countries of the Central Asian region, but also the entire world,” Nazari concluded.Russia’s stabilizing roleNazari said that Russia plays a very active and stabilizing role in Afghanistan and is able to ensure peace in this country.”We believe that countries all over the world should unite to solve the problems of Afghanistan, especially the countries of the region, such as the Russian Federation, which is increasingly playing a very active and stabilizing role here. ..> With a wealth of experience, she is able to offer a reasonable solution to existing problems. >..”Russia is capable of playing a positive role in order to bring stability and peace to Afghanistan,” hestressed.In particular, he positively assessed Moscow’s desire to ensure the inclusive nature of political processes on Afghan territory. “Russia, like other countries in the region, can play an even more positive role by exerting pressure on the Taliban<…> in order to ensure the freedom of the northern, western and central parts of Afghanistan, that is, the majority of the population,” the source added.At the same time, Nazari noted that the solution of the existing problems in the state should be acceptable to the majority of the Afghan population. “So far, we see that the fate of Afghanistan is determined by a minority, and most of the people in various parts of the country remain forgotten. < … > Therefore, we are speaking not only on behalf of the [northern] province of Panjshir, but on behalf of the entire Afghan people,” the representative of the militia summed up.Talks with the TalibanNazari said that the National Resistance Front Afghanistan is not conducting any negotiations with the leadership of the radical Taliban movement that seized power in the country.”We currently have absolutely no contacts with the Taliban terrorist group. Initially, we were ready for a peaceful solution to the problems of Afghanistan, for a peaceful transit of power and building a new country based on the existing realities. However, we have seen that the Taliban do not want to have anything to do with the real structure of Afghan society and alternative [political] forces,” the source said.Commenting on reportsabout the possible location of the leader of the NRF Ahmad Massoud in Tajikistan or Iran, the representative of the militia pointed out that “Ahmad Massoud is on a permanent basis in Afghanistan, but sometimes he really goes to other countries to meet with representatives of different states.”Speaking about the situation in the ranks of the militia, Nazari noted that every day more and more Afghans join the ranks ofthe NRF. “The state of affairs of the NRF, especially in Panjshir province, is very good.Our pressure on the Taliban is increasing. We are present in various parts of Panjshir, as well as in Andarab (district of Baghlan province -approx. TASS), in the north of Kabul province, in Kapis, Badakhshan, Takhar and in some other regions, continuingits activities and increasing its influence day by day. The people of Afghanistan choose the path of the NRF to confront the Taliban terrorists, “he concluded, without naming the exact number of militia, noting that”it is of a nationwide nature.”According to the representative of the NRF, full-fledged peace and stability in Afghanistan can be ensured only with the inclusive participation of all ethnic and religious minorities. “In Afghanistan, no one can be called the majority, but the Taliban, representing only one of the minorities, want to rule the entire country. < … > By negotiating, and not only on behalf of Panjshir, but on behalf of the entire people of Afghanistan, we sought to build a new structure [of governance] that wouldbe acceptable to all Afghans,” he said.The militia believes that the most acceptable political system for Afghanistan involves decentralization. “One of the reasonsfor the political crisis in the country was the centralization of all power in Kabul,” Nazari concluded.The situation in AfghanistanThe Taliban launched a large-scale operation to establish control over Afghanistan after the US announced in the spring that it would withdraw its armed forces from the country. On August 15, the Taliban entered Kabul without a fight, and President Ashraf Ghani left the country. Forces that did not agree with the radical government organized a resistance in the northern province of Panjshir, which was led by Ahmad Massoud. Former Vice-President Amrullah Saleh, who declared himself acting head of state, called for his support.On September 6, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid informed that Panjshir was completely under the control of the Taliban, so the war in Afghanistan is over. In turn, Ahmad Massoud announced that the confrontation with the Taliban continues, calling on all residents of the country to a nationwide uprising. As Nazari later clarified, the resistance is turning to guerrilla warfare tactics.Despite the terrorist attacks and armed attacks against civilians in Afghanistan over the past three months, Taliban representatives have repeatedly stated that the problem of IS in the country has been completely eliminated, emphasizing that”this is no longer a threat, but only a headache” for the Afghan people.TAGSAfghanistanA source: https://tass.ru/mezhdunarodnaya-panorama/12885303