A Beacon of Hope Against Tyranny

By Sohail Mansoor | Friday, February 9, 2024 | info@wearenrf.org

Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF), has spent the last two and a half years engaged not only in armed resistance but also in a substantial political struggle against tyranny, oppression, and injustice. He has traveled to numerous countries, raising awareness about the dire situation in Afghanistan and articulating the objectives and visions of the NRF. Massoud has embarked on this sacred path of resistance not for personal gains but to stand up for his people and fulfill his Islamic duty to defend his homeland against tyranny. As the leader of the NRF, he remains steadfast in his commitment to combat transnational terrorism and to uphold his country's territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Since the fall of the republic in August 2021, the people of Afghanistan have been enduring extremely dire conditions. Under the Taliban’s despotic rule, numerous heinous crimes, including systematic and targeted killings, ethnic cleansing, extrajudicial executions, forced displacements, and mass incarceration, have been perpetrated against them. These atrocities have targeted individuals based on their ethnic, religious, linguistic, social, and political affiliations. Over 17,000 individuals, predominantly from the Tajik community in northern regions, have been unjustly imprisoned. Countless women and men have endured severe torture and are kept in inhumane conditions. The Taliban’s relentless pursuit of former security forces has led to countless incarcerations, torture, and deaths, compelling many to flee the country with their fates unknown.

Media oppression in Afghanistan has severed the nation from the global community. Strict censorship and restrictions have stifled journalists and news reporters, with international media banned from operating in the country. Local news stations, particularly those led by women, have been shut down, and journalists who dare to speak out against the regime face arbitrary arrest and torture. The general population is being denied their fundamental right to freedom of expression.

The rights of women in Afghanistan have been severely curtailed under the Taliban's rule. Women are barred from participating in public life and pursuing education beyond a basic level. Forced to adhere to the Taliban’s strict dress code, which aligns with their interpretation of Islamic Sharia, women who defy these mandates face severe repercussions, including imprisonment, torture, and even death. Furthermore, their freedom of movement is restricted, requiring a male chaperone for travel beyond 75 kilometers.

The imposition of these oppressive and stringent policies systematically excludes women from public life, constituting a clear instance of gender apartheid. In an eloquent address at Science Po University, a prestigious institution in France, Ahmad Massoud passionately appealed to the international community for the formal recognition of both gender apartheid and the Hazara genocide in Afghanistan. A fervent advocate for women's rights, Massoud has consistently expressed deep concern over the plight of women under the Taliban's authoritarian regime, noting that women, representing half of Afghanistan's population, endure exceedingly harsh and merciless conditions.

When the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan fell in August 2021 and both the political system and the army disintegrated, remnants of Afghanistan’s National Army (ANA), National Police, and the National Directorate of Security (NDS) retreated to the Panjshir and Andarab Valleys. Here, they raised the flag of resistance against the Taliban’s barbarism. The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF) was formed, initially holding their ground in these valleys with limited resources. However, faced with resource constraints, the NRF strategically shifted from conventional to unconventional warfare, executing a tactical retreat to the sub-valleys of Panjshir and Andarab.

Adopting guerrilla tactics, the NRF aimed to deplete the enemy's resources, capture their supplies, and disrupt their infrastructure. This approach not only conserved their resources but also instilled a sense of fear and timidity within the Taliban ranks. Over the past two years, this guerrilla warfare has proved militarily effective for the NRF. Notably, they have managed to expand their influence from two provinces to thirteen, demonstrating a significant increase in both strength and territorial control.

The NRF champions the cause of decentralizing the political system, promoting political and cultural pluralism. This vision ensures the equal and fair distribution of power among all ethnic, religious, and linguistic groups in Afghanistan's future governance. By integrating these diverse groups into the power structure and policy-making processes, the NRF aims to reflect the multifaceted identity of Afghanistan. As the sole organized and active resistance in the country, the NRF stands as a beacon of hope, steadfast in its commitment to the shared ideals, beliefs, and values of the peoples of Afghanistan.

The anti-Taliban resistance forces, or the NRF, recognized as the last democratic force and ally of the international community in combating the War on Terror, remains resolute in defending Afghanistan’s hard-won achievements. Their fight against transnational terrorism underscores the urgency for international support in achieving freedom, social justice, and equality for all of Afghanistan’s citizens, irrespective of their ethnicity, gender, or race. This need for genuine governance is acutely felt across Afghanistan.

Addressing the European Parliament, Massoud described Afghanistan under Taliban rule as a hub for international terrorism and a prison for its citizens. He highlighted the influx of terrorists from various organizations, turning Afghanistan into a haven for transnational terrorism. Massoud shed light on the plight of Afghanistan’s former National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF), who, after decades of battling the Taliban, now face dire conditions including imprisonment and targeted killings as aforementioned.

The current state of Afghanistan is marked by anarchy, lawlessness, and chaos. The absence of effective government institutions has resulted in a failure to provide basic services and security. The Taliban, operating without legal constraints, conduct unwarranted home searches and have established extremist madrassas, housing about 21 active extremist groups. This situation poses a direct threat to Central Asia and global security, calling for immediate international attention due to its far-reaching geopolitical implications.

In discussions with European, Russian, and American political figures, as well as leaders from educational institutions, civil societies, and think tanks, Massoud warned that any engagement with the Taliban could have severe consequences on national sovereignty and territorial integrity. He urged democratic nations to reconsider their interactions with the Taliban, labeling such engagements as contrary to democratic values and a strategic failure in the long term. Massoud emphasized the dire human rights situation in Afghanistan, and the country's status as a haven for international terrorists, urging the global community to focus on Afghanistan's critical situation.

Since 2021, the international community has refrained from officially recognizing the Taliban. The group's extreme ideology and oppressive governance have isolated Afghanistan on the global stage, devastating the economy and healthcare system. With approximately 95% of the population living below the poverty line, the Taliban's rule, marked by extremism and fanaticism, continues to radicalize.

The same international community today holds a responsibility to support the freedom-loving people of Afghanistan. Engaging with and legitimizing the Taliban has proven worthless due to their continuous human rights violations and authoritarian rule. Instead, global and regional actors should pressure the Taliban to cease these violations, and support the democratic forces in Afghanistan. Only through concerted international efforts, especially from democratic nations committed to ending the War on Terror, can Afghanistan embark on a path towards lasting peace and democracy.