RASC News Agency: Mohammad Ismail Khan, a prominent leader of the resistance movement, likened the Taliban to the former leadership of the Democratic People’s Party during a virtual meeting on Sunday to commemorate Martyrs’ Week. He declared that “Mullah Hibatullah’s decrees are no less extreme than those issued by Amin and Taraki.” He further lamented that Afghanistan has effectively turned into a vast prison under Taliban rule. The seasoned political figure underscored that only through national unity and solidarity can the country be freed from the Taliban’s grasp.
Ismail Khan acknowledged that the current phase of resistance is even more challenging than the first uprising. He firmly stated that relying on foreign forces will not bring freedom to Afghanistan, insisting that the struggle must be led internally. Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front against the Taliban, also spoke during the meeting. He pointed out that the Taliban has failed to achieve domestic legitimacy, and international relations with the group are purely based on tactical interests. “The world is waiting for the Afghanistani people’s decision,” Massoud said, adding, “We have no option but to resist, both to pave the way for negotiations and to fight for our freedom.”
Throughout the gathering, senior anti-Taliban political figures from the High Council of Resistance for the Salvation of Afghanistan delivered speeches, urging a united front and highlighting the importance of learning from past errors to strengthen the internal cohesion of the opposition. Massoud emphasized the Taliban’s complete lack of legitimacy, both domestically and internationally. He remarked, “People are even ashamed to be photographed with the Taliban.” He cited the recent summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), where no delegate agreed to take a photograph with Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s Foreign Minister.
Salahuddin Rabbani, former Afghanistan Foreign Minister, characterized the Taliban as an internationally disdained group, stating, “The world views recognition of the Taliban as an embarrassment.” Numerous countries, including several Islamic nations, have refused to recognize the Taliban regime. This lack of recognition has led senior Taliban officials to be positioned below other dignitaries at international conferences and excluded from official photographs.
Despite this, the Taliban has managed to deepen ties with major regional powers such as China and Russia.
