RASC News Agency: Local sources in Herat Province report that thousands are awaiting the directive of Amir Ismail Khan, a former jihadist commander, to initiate armed resistance against the Taliban. Sources informed RASC News Agency today, Monday, May 13th, that jihadist commanders and government troops are attentively heeding Amir Ismail Khan’s rallying cry to wage war against the Taliban.
Elaborating on the present situation in Herat Province, the source mentioned that if Amir Ismail Khan could supply weapons to anti-terrorism youth fighters, they could effectively purge Herat of the Taliban within a week. Furthermore, the source noted that Mr. Ismail Khan wields considerable influence among the populace in the western region, particularly in Herat, where the majority of residents advocate for the overthrow of the Taliban. Hence, it is an opportune moment for Mr. Ismail Khan to take decisive action.
Meanwhile, another source, under conditions of anonymity, informed RASC that there are numerous individuals inside and outside Afghanistan collaborating with jihadist leaders and commanders to counter the Taliban. According to the source, youths, former mujahideen, and ex-military personnel disillusioned by the Taliban’s tyranny are eager to launch legitimate warfare against the Taliban at the earliest opportunity.
In the source’s opinion, all segments of Afghanistani society harbor unfavorable memories of the Taliban and vehemently oppose any further presence of the Taliban in Afghanistan’s corridors of power. The source further emphasizes that the Taliban’s role and stance are apparent to all, obviating the necessity for any delineation of this group.
Additionally, well-informed individuals in the western region of Afghanistan confirm that the resurgence of public protests against the Taliban in Badakhshan Province reflects widespread discontent, signaling the imminent downfall of the Taliban. Farzad Vahidi, a knowledgeable source on western Afghanistan affairs, informed RASC that the Taliban’s authority and prestige are progressively waning.
He contends that people are fatigued and disheartened by the tyranny of the ruling regime in Afghanistan and vehemently reject a government akin to the Taliban. He asserts that if the Taliban leadership pauses for reflection, they will realize that their system lacks military dignity and instead epitomizes despotic governance.
Moreover, the informant underscores that the scale of peaceful protests is steadily expanding across all provinces of Afghanistan, eroding the Taliban’s grip on power. In light of these developments, we endeavored to solicit the perspectives of Taliban authorities in Herat Province, but they declined to provide comment.
