RASC News Agency: Saeed Ahmad Shahidkhil, the Deputy Military Chief of the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, has openly expressed admiration for Osama bin Laden, the former al-Qaeda leader and mastermind of the September 11 attacks on the United States. Speaking at a gathering in Kabul, he declared that he “takes pride” in bin Laden, reinforcing the Taliban’s enduring ideology of defiance. Shahidkhil alluded to the Taliban’s first regime being toppled in 2001 due to its refusal to hand over bin Laden to the United States, asserting that the group remains unwavering in its resistance. “If another oppressor or tyrant emerges and commits injustice, I will fight them until my last breath,” he proclaimed.
Following the September 11 attacks, Washington demanded the extradition of bin Laden, who was identified as the chief orchestrator of the assault on the U.S. The Taliban rejected the request, prompting the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan and the subsequent overthrow of their regime. Despite this, Taliban leaders have repeatedly insisted that they harbor no regrets, citing Islamic principles and Afghanistani-Pashtun traditions as justifications for refusing to surrender bin Laden. In his remarks, Shahidkhil also issued a veiled warning, stating that any entity that dares to challenge the Taliban will be met with fierce resistance.
The Taliban has long maintained deep-rooted connections with al-Qaeda. Reports from international security agencies indicate that these ties remain intact, with al-Qaeda having re-established operational bases in multiple Afghanistani provinces. The targeted killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri, bin Laden’s successor, in a U.S. drone strike in central Kabul, further underscores the Taliban’s continued relationship with the terrorist network. This ongoing alliance stands in stark contrast to the commitments made by the Taliban in the Doha Agreement, where they pledged to sever ties with al-Qaeda and prevent Afghanistan soil from being used as a launching ground for terrorist operations.
Shahidkhil’s open glorification of bin Laden comes just a day after U.S. President Donald Trump, addressing a joint session of Congress, announced that Washington had successfully captured one of the key masterminds behind the attack on U.S. troops at Kabul Airport. Trump also commended Pakistan for its cooperation in counterterrorism efforts, further highlighting the shifting geopolitical landscape in the region.
