Why did no one cooperate with Mullah Jumakhan?
Author: Abdulmannan Shevoi Sharq, former Deputy Minister of Culture of Afghanistan
First: There was a crisis of trust, and, in addition, he openly stated that he was still a supporter of the Emirate and was fighting for the rule of the Emirate. The content of his published conversation with Fasihuddin convinced every fighter and military officer that his war was not directed against the Taliban and was not aimed at breaking the Taliban narrative.
Second: Some people who wanted to help him managed to contact him to obtain weapons, stand beside him, and thus fulfill their duty. However, Jumakhan said: “Do not interfere. This is an issue between us, and it will be resolved soon.”
Third: If Mullah Jumma was truly opposed to the Taliban and seriously wanted to fight and put an end to Taliban rule, he had the means and could have specifically appealed, through a short message, to groups and movements fighting against the Taliban for assistance. He did not do so openly, nor did he mention such a need even in his secret contacts, and in fact he did not want this to happen at all.
Fourth: Jumakhan’s management of the war, command, planning, and positioning was rather amateurish than that of an experienced military commander. First, he allowed his opponent to take up positions with all available means and capabilities and deploy his forces, and only then did he take action.
Fifth: Jumakhan did not have the trust or legitimacy of the people, and local residents, because of his past actions, regarded him with resentment and suspicion. Many say: “It is good that we have been rid of this trouble.” Of course, these same people also hate the continuation of the Emirate and the Taliban.
Sixth: The operation in Darwaz revealed the true nature of many people. Even some of them, despite all their intellectual, social, and academic commitments, expected Jumakhan, the Taliban member, to become a center of freedom, justice, and the breaking of the Taliban spell. Therefore, they were eager to raise a new flag on Jumakhan’s shoulders and thus stand beside him, so that they could present the ideas of modern society from under the banner of Mullah Jumma. But this did not happen and was impossible. After all, how could such an expectation have been fulfilled? It would have been nothing other than putting values up for sale.
Seventh: If, listening to these people—emotional and self-interested fighters—any group had joined Jumakhan or entered the fighting, it would have become clear that they had made a strategic mistake. They would then have found themselves trapped: either captured and shot, or forced to flee again. Essentially, Jumakhan, the Taliban member, should have remained alone in this inter-group conflict and been rendered ineffective. No one was supposed to go and fight under the Taliban flag.
Eighth: Why did some people want the banner or objective of Mullah Jumma to be clearly defined and identified? The goal was for him to separate his ranks from the Taliban so that people would understand what the real choice was. At the same time, the situation of the ordinary and honorable people of Darwaz is a separate matter: they became victims and were subjected to threats. But responsibility for what happened lay with Mullah Jumakhan, who was bewildered and did not know what to do.
Ninth: Behind Mullah Jumakhan’s war there was no military planning, clear objective, or appropriate military strategy. The five days of resistance were not the result of his foresight or military wisdom; the geography of Darwaz, as well as the unfamiliarity of the non-local Taliban fighters with the terrain, played a role in prolonging the situation. Otherwise, the incident on the fourth day, which resulted in the loss of the DShK, as well as the killing and capture of four of Jumakhan’s men, itself demonstrates that the Taliban had become familiar with the terrain, rather than indicating Jumakhan’s strength or military judgment.
Tenth: The defeat and surrender of Jumakhan have no justification, and do not throw this black snow onto the roof of any front or movement! Jumakhan’s choice reached only this level and this degree. A true soldier and a true fighter never surrenders. His approach to negotiations is also different. If Jumakhan had had the right objective and made the right choice, using the terrain, changing positions, consolidating forces in one position, retreating to strategic points, and transforming a conventional front-line war into guerrilla warfare could have ensured the continuation of his resistance. During this period, the level of commitment and sincerity of others would also have become clear.
In reality, Jumma acted contrary to the political and fighting culture of Darwaz. Darwaz is a land of guerrillas, undefeated fighters, historical leaders, and heroes, to whom Jumakhan’s Taliban-style conduct and actions do not belong. In the culture of Darwaz, a person has two choices: either achieve the goal, or give his life for his commitment and convictions.
Jumakhan had neither a choice nor a goal, and a war without a goal only throws people into confusion and puts the culture and values of struggle up for sale.
A struggle without a worthy message does not befit Darwaz, and the continuation of Jumma’s games was not the choice of the people either. Today, the people of Darwaz, like wounded eagles, still thirst for flight; they have embraced steadfastness and this tradition with all their hearts. And it is a very good thing that those who surrendered have become part of history, while the ranks of men and free people have also become separated and revealed...
