New Taliban leader tells US to end Afghan 'occupation' in first message
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KABUL: New Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada on Saturday called on the United States to end its “occupation” of Afghanistan in his first message since being appointed the militant group's chief in May.
“Admit the realities instead of useless use of force and muscle... and put an end to the occupation,” Akhundzada said in a speech on the eve of Eidul Fitr, the Muslim festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
“Our message to the American invaders and her allies is this: the Afghan Muslim people neither fear... your force nor your stratagem. They consider martyrdom in confrontation with you as a cherished goal of their life,” Akhundzada added.
“You are facing... not a group or faction but a nation. You are not going to be a winner (if Allah willing).”
The message is the first by Akhundzada since his predecessor Akhtar Mansour was killed during a US drone strike in neighbouring Pakistan in May.
The leader's statement comes two days after twin Taliban bomb blasts killed at least 32 Afghan policemen and wounded 78 others on the edge of Kabul.
“Our message to the supporters of the invaders is that it might have been dawned on you during the past 15 years that you are being used for realisation of American goals,” Akhundzada said, adding that “your support and siding with invaders is like the work of those abhorrent faces who in our past history supported the Britons and the Soviets,” he added.
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Comments (56) Closed
Jul 02, 2016 02:20pm
USA War on:
Iran 1953, Guatemala 1954, Congo 1960, Dominican Republic 1961,
South Vietnam 1963, Brazil 1964, Chile 1973, Iraq 1992 & 2003, Libya 2010, Syria 2011, Ukraine 2014.
Have they ever won the answer is NO.
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Jul 02, 2016 02:27pm
Right massage to US. every nation want freedom.
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Jul 02, 2016 02:50pm
This is the only solution for the peace and stability in Afghanistan. 16 Years of US occupation did nothing other than destruction.
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Jul 02, 2016 02:57pm
Agreed with Him.
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Jul 02, 2016 02:59pm
Surprising to see there are people who support this ' good' terrorist.
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Jul 02, 2016 03:08pm
@Neutral Indian don't expect anything else from them!!
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Jul 02, 2016 03:08pm
Not amazed to see your comments for Afghanistan but, those who support Taliban are very few in nos.
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Jul 02, 2016 03:08pm
Yes, US should have left the region soon after they killed Osama. There is no justification for USA to stay there. They came here to execte Osama, didn't they?
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Jul 02, 2016 03:08pm
america cannot be threatend by anyone. sooner or later drone will do his job.
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Jul 02, 2016 03:17pm
@Shan Kazmi , Afghan government want US to stay. Because they give Aid as Afghan treasury is completely empty.
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Jul 02, 2016 03:18pm
The taliban does even have support among most afghans so who is he talking for?
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Jul 02, 2016 03:19pm
@Neutral Indian - America will soon be negotiating with what you call is 'good terrorist'. Problem with you guys is 'Taliban' is a very misunderstood word. It's not just a group or faction but a whole nation of people, women and innocent children. Why would the USA and Afghan neighbours want to enter into 'peace talks' with them otherwise?
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Jul 02, 2016 03:24pm
Isn't it for the Afghan elected government to decide what is best for their country.??
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Jul 02, 2016 03:29pm
@Sharek: Their aim is never to win but only to create terror.
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Jul 02, 2016 03:29pm
All militants are to be eliminated from this world. For that, time is not far, all countries will unite. The militants aim is nothing to do with religion but their selfish goal.
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Jul 02, 2016 03:34pm
How come Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada speaking on behalf of whole Afganistan nation? If he care so much of his nation than he should stop killing their own countrymen first.
US is in afganistan to fight against talibans in collaboration with people elected Afghan govt. Once govt of Afganistan decides, US will leave.
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Jul 02, 2016 03:33pm
Very correct message from this Taliban leader. US never quit any country once he occupied.
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Jul 02, 2016 03:38pm
@Harmony-1© Ok , let's assume there is a problem with 'we guys' generalising stuff. With due respect, may I ask if your explanation also applies to Taliban on your side of the border?
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Jul 02, 2016 03:50pm
Looks like he is inviting American drone strike on himself, soon. Look at what happened to the ISIS which is more powerful and financially resourceful terrorists. When they can't stand USA's might, who is Taliban?
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Jul 02, 2016 03:58pm
The US and its allies have been killing innocent children and wives of Afghan, and did so far nothing more. So they are left with the only option to leave this land.
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Jul 02, 2016 03:58pm
@Sharek maybe they don't go to war to win it,maybe a regime change is all they wanted and they have been successful most of the times.
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Jul 02, 2016 04:03pm
Afghan people turned out in record numbers to elect their govt despite pleas/threats from the Taliban to boycott the elections. Seems to me it's the Taliban who are now unwanted and trying to impose their will on the people of Afghanistan. Also - the American's were willing to totally leave Afghanistan and it was the elected govt of Afghanistan that begged them to stay.
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Jul 02, 2016 04:09pm
Freedom of Afghanistan is basic human rights. No more occupation of Afghanistan.
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Jul 02, 2016 04:16pm
America has overstayed their "visit" to Afghanistan. Even the American people are sick and tired of Afghanistan.
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Jul 02, 2016 04:23pm
@Harmony-1© Taliban is not the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan...They came to power by terrorizing the people...They never accepted democracy as they very well know that people won't choose them through an electoral process...In their reign they hadn't done anything for the afghan people...No Hospitals, No schools, No business activity nothing...Only thing they had done is to take away the freedom of women in the country...They kept Afghanistan as a backward country so that it will remain dependent on Pakistan and fulfill the policy of strategic depth...
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Jul 02, 2016 04:36pm
Taliban didn't came to power in Afghanistan through democracy so it has no right to speak on behalf of Afghanistan .why donot it participate in Democratic process
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Jul 02, 2016 04:58pm
The point Pakistan govt trying to convey to international platform since last five years,Pakistan Army fought with them in Waziristan and other areas and knows that fighting terrorists of ISL and against these who sought there freedom from NATO,ISAF and most importantly US led puppet govt of Ashraf Ghani which is unable to think of anything under US and Indian pressure,here the role of India is somehow clear as construction of 1700km rail track ref to chahbhaar,inauguration of Salma Dam by Moodi,construction of steel factory would surely strengthen Indian element but even a kid would be sure that Pakistan would never leave any vacuum for whom he thinks may play dirty,So Taliban should be considered as part of Afghan govt because sooner or later they're going to get the Power again,Pakistan accepts there presence world should also do it,Time to stop hating the appearance they carry otherwise this dirty game of world powers won't be ending any soon,Indian govt should accept it...
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Jul 02, 2016 05:11pm
He seems to be running out of time. He will go his predecessors way unless he uses his position to push peace in Afghanistan.
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Jul 02, 2016 05:22pm
@Neutral Indian One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. All he's asking for right now is for an end to be made to America's military occupation in his country.
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Jul 02, 2016 05:28pm
@Hashaam There is no occupation of any sorts.
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Jul 02, 2016 05:30pm
@Neutral Indian We fought and we eliminated the terrorists on our side but we openly accept the identity of Talibans as a nation and the so called govt you talk about in Afghanistan is just placed by America we all know,for Ramesh i would say did America tried to invade Afghans to give them Schools,Hospitals,colleges and a standard life??Millions of innocent died there so stop defending US action,I bet US policy makers are going to sit with these Taliban and that is the day Afghan govt is afraid of as they've only US card to play and Indian too,Just see the map and make me understand,any justification of so much Indian involvement in Afghanistan and you say we should sit aside and just see,well it won't happen,world should accept 'Taliban' as a Nation fighting war of their Identity,and i appreciate Moodi govt's positive contribution towards building war hit country but thinking to counter Pak from this end would remain a dream INSHALLAH
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Jul 02, 2016 05:37pm
Despite killing thousands of Innocent Afghans... Taliban claims to be fighting for Afghanistan
these tactics won't work now as everybody knows who runs them.
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Jul 02, 2016 05:38pm
@Basit Ali how will you define it then????
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Jul 02, 2016 05:47pm
@TAHIR SAEED are you refer to those Taliban who destroyed bamiyan buddha , consider women as slave , totally oppose human right and wants stone age law for Afghanistan .
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Jul 02, 2016 05:53pm
Indians are more interested in this issue.
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Jul 02, 2016 06:02pm
So funny to see people here are in support of taliban and agree with hin.
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Jul 02, 2016 06:08pm
Muslim world is occupied by USA and allies to change regimes and impose puppets. Let Muslim world unite and occupation forces get out which only make Israel and west potent.
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Jul 02, 2016 06:12pm
@IAMBACK you are mistaken, anti occupation does not mean automatically for Taliban. Most comments are against occupation. OBL has gone, so why stay longer.
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Jul 02, 2016 06:18pm
Afghans do not want Taliban that is why they, Taliban, will never succeed.
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Jul 02, 2016 06:19pm
@TAHIR SAEED Thanks for your well rounded response based on logical arguments. I do believe all nations including your country, my country and the US of A are using Afghanistan as a pawn in their power games.
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Jul 02, 2016 06:25pm
@vvv Believe me this the Pathetic picture drawn to wage war,I lived in there culture and saw the traditions the live with and pride they believe in about their history,and even they are or were strict regarding policies to treat women like a slave which is completely otherwise,does it provide us a certificate to invade them???just kill them???then why not to kill israelis whom you can see holding Palestenean women from their hairs and dragging them like animals,We as humans have committed blunders just to run weapon industry,it is time to stop it
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Jul 02, 2016 06:29pm
@Neutral Indian exactly,we all should understand the great game being played by govts and should learn to respect humanity..
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Jul 02, 2016 06:37pm
It is for Afghan leadership to decided which direction they want their society to move. US and Indian influence is taking Afghans no where. They should try local wisdom and find local solution. Pushtun Taliban can not be wished away nor will 12 million Pushtuns. Reconciliation and accommodation in only solution.
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Jul 02, 2016 06:38pm
US will never leave until the mission is completed and the mission is total elimination of all radicals, extremists and terrorists and their sanctuaries from the region and the world - if you truely want US to leave then help US achieve this goal otherwise drone strikes will continue as US interest comes first.
The Taliban think they are winning the war against the US but all they are doing is killing their own countrymen. If the Taliban are truely the most popular group in Afghanistan then they should not be afraid to lay down their arms and contest elections. Once they win the election and form their government in Afghanistan then they can request US to leave (I am sure US will negotiate an exit strategy with them before leaving).
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Jul 02, 2016 06:57pm
@TAHIR SAEED I consider my self as a human being above cast color and religion. Those who killed innocent anywhere in the world in the name of nationality, religion or for any other reason are the biggest enemy of the humanity. And for any country what common man wants is the most important thing to consider and I think that democracy is the best option even their are some flaw in democratic stystem other then dictatorship
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Jul 02, 2016 07:34pm
@Sharek: Great statistics, you overlooked Afghanistan. America has made more enemies than friend, it's called arrogance.
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Jul 02, 2016 07:50pm
@Sharek When did US attack Ukraine? Its the Russian forces protecting the Russian minorities in Ukraine. And US attacked Iran in 1953? Highly exaggerated.You did not add Japan to your list, the atom bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Please get some knowledge and comment. US had war with communist North Vietnam, siding with the South Vietnam.
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Jul 02, 2016 07:53pm
To the Taliban leader, US is not in Afghanistan to occupy, but to bring peace and stability.
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Jul 02, 2016 07:53pm
@Neutral Indian - You did not answer the question raised in my last sentence. You have normally been more sensible than most, so let me ask this then. What do you think should be done to many millions of Taliban men, women and children? Shoot them all dead?
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Jul 02, 2016 07:57pm
@Ramesh Krishnan - Ask your new buddy US, why are they negotiating with them for peace then!
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Jul 02, 2016 08:17pm
@Harmony-1© Thanks, likewise, I find you more sensible than most of your countrymen, although this time I am afraid you are hiding behind rhetorical questions to avoid answering difficult questions about the origins of the Afghan Taliban. And No, I am not willing to believe it was the US alone who created them and armed them.
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Jul 02, 2016 08:27pm
Afghan government is democratically elected--a simple reality that escapes the understanding of this militant.
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Jul 02, 2016 08:56pm
All terrorist should should be killed and all Afhan should support their government forgetting all differences amongst them. Strong Afhan government should not be puppet of India as well of Pakistan but should be independent friendly to all neighbors and should not let any Indian or Pakistani element to use its soil for proxy wars.
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Jul 02, 2016 09:00pm
@Neutral Indian - Yes, Taliban were not "created by the US" but they (with the help of Pakistan) definitely trained them to fight the Soviets. They were proudly extolled in all Western media as "brave mujahedin". I still remember BBC and CNN news stories on them of proudly show casing them.
Now they have suddenly become a problem and rightly so but mainly because of their antiquated Islamic ideology but that is a separate debate. There are many others like that in the world (including in India, Bajrang Dal types). But total annihilation of them can never be the answer either. Now there could be long debates of how to change such mindsets.
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Jul 02, 2016 09:34pm
@vvv then you should also speak loud against Indian occupied Kashmir,
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Jul 03, 2016 11:04pm
Trust Afghans to take care of themselves. Leave them alone. They will be fine. That's what history has demonstrated to us.
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