The Taliban agree to continue the negotiations. But there is still no talk of a ceasefire, at least until there is an Islamic government. They know well that they can take advantage of the moment of disarray in the country, also because they are aware that they are militarily stronger than in the past, thanks to a competitive arsenal of war and the support of neighboring countries, which has improved in recent years. They want all the international military forces still present in Afghanistan to be ready to leave the country without further conditions, otherwise the conflict will continue; but non-governmental organizations, embassies and foreign workers will not be targeted. The fundamentalists in the last month have conquered many provinces and strategic border crossings, the leaders of the Islamic Emirate confirm control of almost the entire territory but do not intend to occupy the capital. In this interview with Republic, the spokesman of the Koranic students, Suhail Shaheen, argues that their goal is not military conquest but to find an agreement in Doha.
The international community, in the face of your military advance, wonders if you will respect the peace talks and dialogue with the government.
“Our policy is to seek a peaceful solution to the Afghan question. The goal is to form an Islamic government through popular consensus, we believe this is the best solution, we do not want military confrontation. In recent years no party has been able to manage the government in Kabul effectively and peacefully. Recent meetings in Doha have been a good start, even if they have not given the expected results. The two sides have presented programs that do not differ much. Progress has been made but they are slow. We must accelerate and find a solution in the short term, I hope that with the next talks we can definitively close the issue “.
How do you imagine the future of Afghanistan?
“I am confident that we will reach a truce. If I look ahead I see an Islamic government, accepted by all the Afghan political factions and above all by the population”.
If the Taliban take power, what will change?
“We will govern in the light of our Islamic values, we do not want to overturn what has been positive to date. We will strive for peaceful coexistence with the population, with neighboring countries and beyond. Having positive relations with other states can only help reconstruction and the development of our land. The cornerstones of the Islamic Emirate for a rebirth of Afghanistan will be: first of all the establishment of an Islamic government, peace and stability, the prosperity of our people with the support of the allied countries “.
In the last month you have conquered many provinces and strategic border crossings, it seems that you have control of almost the entire territory of Afghanistan. Is your target also Kabul?
“The provinces of the whole country are now in our possession, the security forces of Kabul are voluntarily joining our fighters. I confirm, although the government of Ashraf Ghani does not want to accept it, that we have control of 85 percent of the territory. However, our objective is not to occupy the capital and not even to fight our Afghan brothers, but only to find a solution to the war “.
US President Joe Biden said you have grown militarily since 2001. What has changed in your war apparatus?
“We are stronger both in terms of military training and in the quality and quantity of weapons. The growth has occurred thanks to an evolution in political relations with neighboring countries”.
Does the Taliban support non-governmental organizations that work to assist the population?
“Our commitment is to help not only NGO personnel but also diplomats and foreign workers. They are an asset to our country. All humanitarian activities in Afghanistan are carried out thanks to our active cooperation in terms of security. it only targets foreign military and government forces that hinder our stability process. ”
What do you think of the US departure from Bagram, the air base located 65 kilometers from Kabul?
“It was an important opening. At the moment we do not want to occupy the base, assuming that all American and NATO forces withdraw from Afghanistan as enshrined in the Doha agreement. Our people have the right to have full independence like any other. people in the world “.
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