RASC News Agency: Ahmad Zia Massoud, former Vice President of Afghanistan, has stated in an interview with a French publication that the anti-Taliban resistance lacks a unified and coherent strategy. Massoud added, “There is no single, strong leadership to coordinate the resistance.” Ahmad Zia Massoud, the uncle of Ahmad Massoud, who leads the National Resistance Front, pointed out that the resistance groups in Afghanistan are fragmented, with each acting independently. The National Resistance Front is one of the prominent military-political movements opposing the Taliban. Speaking with “Le Point”, a French weekly, Ahmad Zia Massoud emphasized that “resistance groups in Afghanistan are scattered and each operates autonomously.”
The former vice president noted that many prominent political leaders have left the country and are now living abroad, resulting in the absence of a unified and powerful leadership to coordinate the resistance. According to him, the lack of international support for the resistance has further weakened its efforts. He proposed the formation of a “Council of Resistance”, comprised of representatives from all ethnicities and political groups, which could aid in establishing a unified leadership. Massoud also emphasized the importance of forming a “People’s Army” and suggested that in addition to military struggle, attention must be paid to the political and social dimensions of the resistance, working to garner public support.
On the day Afghanistan fell to the Taliban, Ahmad Zia Massoud, along with other political figures, fled to Pakistan. He said that had they not left the country, they would have been killed by the Taliban. Massoud remarked that Afghanistan has fallen into the grip of terrorism. He further claimed, “The leadership of the Taliban is in the hands of al-Qaeda. There are close familial ties between the leaders of al-Qaeda and the Taliban.” He elaborated: “Hamza bin Laden, the son of Osama bin Laden, married the daughter of Mullah Omar, the former Taliban leader. Mullah Yaqub, Mullah Omar’s son, is currently the Taliban’s Minister of Defense and maintains a close relationship with Hamza.”
He alleged that Hamza bin Laden is currently residing in Afghanistan and has re-established al-Qaeda’s bases. Massoud warned that this situation poses a significant threat to regional and global security. He stressed that the Taliban, al-Qaeda, and even ISIS are plotting revenge against various countries. Massoud cautioned that unless the Afghanistani people receive help to regain their freedom, another event like September 11 could occur. He called for global support to overthrow the Taliban regime.
Ahmad Zia Massoud served as the First Vice President of Afghanistan under Hamid Karzai from 2004 to 2009. He was also a special advisor to Ashraf Ghani. His remarks about the disarray and lack of leadership within the resistance movements come as his nephew, Ahmad Massoud, leads the National Resistance Front. Ahmad Massoud has been criticized for distancing himself from most, surrounding himself with a small circle of exiles and opportunists, devoid of any concrete plan or leadership.
