Taliban ‘Hostage Diplomacy’ Will Not Go Unanswered, Says US

Unlike most Muslim countries, the Taliban announced Thursday as the first day of Eid al-Fitr, while Saudi Arabia said Friday, March 20, would mark the start of Eid.

According to the sources, the Taliban’s Department of Hajj and Religious Affairs in Herat held a meeting on Tuesday attended by mosque imams and members of the Shia Ulema Council.

At the meeting, the Taliban presented a document and asked those present to sign it, committing to observe Eid in line with the Taliban’s announcement.

The sources said Shia scholars rejected the request, stating that in Shia jurisprudence the timing of Eid and fasting is determined by religious authorities.

According to the sources, during the meeting the Taliban detained Mohammad Rohani, head of religious schools in south-west Afghanistan and director of the Sadeqia seminary.

They added that on Wednesday the Taliban also detained Khodadad Ehsani, a representative of Ayatollah Mohaqiq Kabuli and preacher at the Al-Mahdi mosque in Jebrail, Mohammad Akbari, former head of the Jebrail Ulema Council, and several other Shia clerics in Herat, transferring them to prison.

Spokesperson Lin Jian said China hopes both sides will remain calm and exercise restraint, and resume peace talks as soon as possible.

He made the remarks on Thursday, March 19, a day after Pakistan and the Taliban agreed to temporarily suspend fighting during Eid following a request from Saudi Arabia and other regional countries.

The Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson stressed that both sides should reach a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire as soon as possible, resolve differences through dialogue and maintain peace and stability between the two countries and in the region.

He added that China appreciates efforts by Islamic countries to help secure a ceasefire between Pakistan and the Taliban.

Polleak Ok Serei, the UNODC representative in Afghanistan, said the agency did not back the facility because it was under the Taliban’s interior ministry.

He said the UN office believes drug treatment centres should be managed by the public health ministry and that rehabilitation must be voluntary and free from coercion.

During Pakistani strikes on Monday night in Kabul and Nangarhar, at least three bombs hit the Omid drug treatment centre in eastern Kabul. The Taliban said 400 people were killed and 250 others injured. A diplomatic source in Kabul told Afghanistan International the death toll could reach hundreds.

The Omid centre is located at a former NATO base in eastern Kabul. It was run by the Taliban’s interior ministry and is reported to be near Taliban military facilities.

Ok Serei said that under international humanitarian law, medical facilities must be kept away from military targets, and parties to a conflict must avoid attacking civilian objects, including hospitals.

According to an audio recording released by the Taliban, Akhundzada, without naming Pakistan, said: If someone bombs us or targets us with artillery, you should not change your belief and faith.

Radio Television of Afghanistan under Taliban control broadcast the 46-minute speech by Akhundzada.

Much of the Taliban leader’s address focused on enforcing his decrees, unity, obedience and support for the Taliban system.

He made no reference to the recent clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban and only said towards the end of his speech: “We cannot be destroyed by bombs and aircraft.”

In another part of his remarks, he said: “We cannot be destroyed by bombs and aircraft; if it were possible, America and the Soviet Union would have eliminated us.”

He added: “This is due to the blessing of our unity, Islam, our religion and our Sharia.

Akhundzada also said that infidels are trying to create divisions among them. He criticised some media outlets, calling them anti-Islam, and said: Do not listen to Western media; they are against Islam.

The Taliban leader emphasised the implementation of his decrees and laws, saying they are meant to reform society. He added: “I am obliged, I am the leader of these Muslims and I will certainly guide them on the path of God.”

He called on everyone to remain united and support the Taliban government.

He said: “If this religion and Islam did not exist, I swear to God, you and I would now be wearing trousers and serving as servants and slaves of the Americans, NATO and Europe. Now we are free and have an unprecedented system across the world.”

A Taliban spokesperson said the group’s leader performed Eid al-Fitr prayers and delivered a speech at the mosque.

According to the sources, Taliban special forces had deployed anti-drone systems and defensive equipment around the Eidgah Mosque.

These measures came after Pakistan in recent days carried out strikes in Kandahar, including targeting a facility linked to the Taliban leader’s special forces.

However, the Taliban and Pakistan have announced a temporary ceasefire for Eid al-Fitr.

To secure their leader, the Taliban deployed heavy weapons around the mosque, and armed Taliban personnel were also present inside.

According to the sources, all roads leading to the Eidgah Mosque had been under tight security surveillance for several days, and houses near the mosque had also been searched.

The sources added that during Akhundzada’s speech, the use of even basic mobile phones was banned inside the Eidgah Mosque.