Several opposition political leaders and groups have urged unity against the “oppression” of the Taliban on the 22nd anniversary of the assassination of Ahmad Shah Massoud.
Every year, the anniversary of Massoud’s assassination is marked on 9 September, when he was killed in an Al-Qaeda suicide attack in 2001. A prominent guerrilla commander and politician, Massoud had fought Soviet forces in Afghanistan in the 1980s and the Taliban in the following decade.
The National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan, comprising former political leaders and politicians in exile, said in a statement that this year’s anniversary is being honored amidst a “bloody” and “tragic” chapter of Afghanistan’s history under Taliban rule.
The statement highlighted that since overtaking power two years ago, the Taliban has gravely violated human rights, particularly of women and girls, cracked down on media and media workers, suppressed dissent, and conducted revenge killings against ex-officials and former security members, members of media workers, and civilians, among other things.
“The illegitimate and repressive rule of Taliban and their links with terror groups have significantly diluted Afghanistan’s global reputation,” the Council members stated, “This dire situation requires political groups and leaders, ulema, rights groups, youth and others in the country and in the diaspora to unite for the freedom of Afghanistan.”
The Council members also called on the international community to show responsibility and not allow a “repressive” and “illegitimate” group to rule over the fate of the people of Afghanistan.
Son of late Ahmad Shah Massoud, Ahmad Massoud, who now leads the anti-Taliban National Resistance Front (NRF), said in a video statement that there is “no other option left against the regression and atrocities of Taliban but to resist and fight against them for the group has committed to bloodshed.”
He emphasized the unity and harmony of opposition political and military groups.
“We should stand together against the status quo and change it for the better no matter what ethnic, religious, and political groups we come from.”
Ahmad Massoud stressed that the Taliban has “imposed” a war in the country and does not represent the “will” of the people. He added that the NRF has intensified its anti-Taliban attacks in recent months.
In a separate statement, the NRF also called on anti-Taliban groups to mobilize around a shared agenda to “free” the country from the Taliban.
The Diplomatic Mission of Afghanistan to the UN said in a statement that Afghanistan is grappling with political, social, security, and human rights crises under Taliban rule that keep deteriorating.
“This drastic situation is not only threatening Afghanistan but also the region and the world,” the statement underscored. “At this critical juncture, unity and strength among diverse ethnic groups are crucial to overcome the challenges and honor the legacy of people like Ahmad Shah Massoud.”
