National Resistance Front Commander Urges Anti-Taliban Unity

Hamed Saifi, a commander of the National Resistance Front, has called on anti-Taliban political leaders to put aside “self-interest and divisions” and to “unite.” In a statement on X on Tuesday, Saifi referred to reports of internal conflicts among Taliban leaders.

He wrote that focusing on disputes within the Taliban, such as which faction is involved in infighting or who has been “arrested, killed, or injured” among them, is a “futile thought.”

According to Saifi, despite internal tensions within the Taliban and the possible sidelining of some officials, ultimately, one faction of the Taliban will continue to rule Afghanistan. He warned that this would bring no positive change for the people and could even worsen their situation.

The resistance commander, while asserting that the Taliban’s defeat is inevitable due to the current circumstances, emphasised that this outcome depends on the unity of the Taliban’s political opponents and their willingness to set aside self-interest.

Saifi warned that if the Taliban’s opponents do not put aside their divisions and “self-interest,” then “post-Taliban Afghanistan will fall into the hands of foreign forces and their mercenaries.”
He wrote: “The guerrillas and fighters have kept the door of hope open for the people at the cost of their lives. Now, it is the turn of the country’s politicians to be ready to sacrifice and show selflessness for this cause.”

The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan began its resistance against the Taliban in Panjshir following the group’s takeover and, for more than three years, has been targeting Taliban forces across various provinces.

However, Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid dismissed the claims made by resistance groups about targeting Taliban forces as “media propaganda.” He compared their attacks to mere “firecrackers.”

In addition to the National Resistance Front, the Afghanistan Freedom Front has also been reporting multiple attacks against Taliban forces since February 2022.

Following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, many of the group’s opponents, most of whom were officials of the previous government, have formed various political organisations in exile to continue their struggle against the Taliban.