Why we did not support the Taliban’s war against neighboring countries
Author: Mohibullah Noori, former head of the Political Affairs Division of Afghanistan’s National Security Council and a member of the Sangar Advisory Council
1 - Lack of support among the Afghan people for the war against their neighbors
During the republic, when most of the people longed for peace, a small minority led by Ashraf Ghani pursued a belligerent policy, squandering opportunities for reconciliation. This ultimately led to the collapse of the government and the Taliban’s return to power.
In the recent war between the Taliban and Pakistan, the same minority — nationalists and ethnic chauvinists — sided with the Taliban. In doing so, they betrayed the blood of the fallen soldiers of the republic and, at the same time, encouraged the Taliban to wage war against Pakistan.
Fortunately, the majority of the Afghan people turned away from them and opposed the war.
For my part, I stand with the majority of our people in opposing this war. And in the future, if a war breaks out against the Central Asian countries, we will take the same stance — against war.
2 - Support Is Justified Only for a Legitimate and Lawful Government
Today, there is no legitimate government in Afghanistan that can be defended. Supporting the Taliban means strengthening the monopoly and betraying the memory of fallen members of the former defense and security forces. When legitimate governments existed in Afghanistan, our people defended them steadfastly for three decades. I am confident that if a legitimate government is reestablished, the entire nation will unite to defend it.
3 - This War Exposed the Falsehood of Claims That the Taliban Have “Changed”
Contrary to Khalilzad’s statements that the Taliban had changed and would prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan soil against other countries, reality has shown that this claim was a lie. The Taliban remain a serious threat to regional order and stability. The main reason for Pakistan’s intervention is the Taliban’s support for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) movement, which over the past four years has organized 10,347 terrorist attacks in Pakistan, killing 3,844 people — soldiers, police officers, and civilians, mostly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and largely among the Pashtun community.
Therefore, the main culprits behind the aggression against Afghanistan’s neighbors are the Taliban themselves. We cannot turn a blind eye to truth and justice out of blind nationalism. From my perspective, there is no difference between the people of Afghanistan and the people of neighboring countries. If tomorrow the Taliban attacks the Central Asian states, I will hold the same stance — opposition to war.
4 - The War’s Devastating Economic, Humanitarian, and Social Consequences
The war has brought catastrophic economic, humanitarian, and social consequences to the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan, especially in the border regions. Trade routes have been blocked, commerce and labor migration disrupted, and the prices of basic goods have risen sharply. As a result, poverty, unemployment, and despair have spread among the populations of both countries, while regional economic cooperation and integration have been severely weakened.
5 - In Conclusion
I welcome the mediation efforts of Qatar and Turkey to establish a ceasefire, but I do not believe in peace with the Taliban.
As long as the Taliban remain in power, they will not abandon their support for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan movement. This means that a lasting ceasefire and genuine peace will remain impossible. Unfortunately, peace, stability, and development in the region — especially on both sides of the Durand Line — will not be possible without the disarmament and integration of extremist groups, such as the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban, into a legitimate political system — whether through peace or by force of war.
