In a statement on Thursday, the armed anti-Taliban Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF), strongly criticized reports of the Taliban relocating members of Tahreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to the northern regions of Afghanistan, describing it as a “deceptive” and “dangerous” action.
The AFF expressed concerns that such a move would disrupt the harmonious coexistence of ethnic groups in Afghanistan.
The AFF said: “We firmly believe that this demographic shift in the north of our country will sow the seeds of division, extremism, and terrorism in Afghanistan forever.”
“The repercussions of these actions will pose a grave and catastrophic threat, not only to Afghanistan and the region but also to global peace and security.”
The AFF claims that alongside ties with Al-Qaeda and ISKP, the Taliban has facilitated ground for the relocation of other like-minded extremist groups, including the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, and Jamaat Ansarullah of Tajikistan, to the northern regions of Afghanistan.
The controversy of the TTP members being relocated to northern Afghanistan first surfaced after the interview of Pakistan’s interior minister, Rana Sanaullah, with the Voice of America (VOA) Urdu.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban, confirmed the relocation plan in an interview with TOLOnews, explaining, “Migrants located in close proximity to the Durand line, not all but those who have raised concerns, will be relocated to various central, southern, and northern provinces of the country to be supervised and controlled.”
Previously, the National Resistance Front (NRF) led by Ahmad Massoud and the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan had also expressed their opposition to this development, viewing it as “an attempt to alter the demographic structure of northern Afghanistan.”
The Freedom Front further called Amnesty International’s report on the Taliban’s conduct in Panjshir province “a documentation of parts of the Taliban’s violent and brutal actions against civilians, widespread violations of the laws of war, and the ruthless suppression of opposition.”
This front expressed hope that Amnesty International would produce similar reports covering other areas of the country that have endured the Taliban’s “inhumane repression, torture, killings, imprisonment, and forced displacement” over the past two years.
The AFF also welcomed the United Nations Security Council’s report on Afghanistan, considering it an international recognition of the harsh realities faced under the rule of the Taliban and an affirmation of the legitimacy of the patriotic struggle to rescue and liberate the country.
The AFF further expressed concern over reports of reduced drug cultivation under the Taliban’s control and the invitation of Taliban members to the Oslo, Norway meeting, viewing these actions as an attempt to normalize and portray “a more acceptable image of the Taliban.”
