Afghan Taliban Commander Describes Radicalization In Afghan Security Forces And Insider Attacks On U.S. Forces

Afghan Taliban Commander Describes Radicalization In Afghan Security Forces And Insider Attacks On U.S. Forces

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In an article titled "Afghan Youths In The Enemy Ranks," an Afghan Taliban commander predicts that there will be an increase in insider attacks on U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan in the coming weeks. Maulvi Abdul Samad Sayyal, the Taliban commander whose location is not identified in the article, describes in detail how Afghan police commanders are reaching out to the Taliban with the help of local tribal elders.
One incident described by Sayyal in this article involves an attack by roadside bomb, planted with the help of an Afghan security commander, against Romanian troops deployed in Afghanistan as part of NATO forces.
The article appeared in Morchal, a Pashtu-language monthly magazine published by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Taliban's shadow government in the country). The argument forwarded by Maulvi Abdul Samad Sayyal is that the members of Afghan National Army and Police are motivated to attack U.S. forces because of the recent desecration of the Koran and insults to Prophet Muhammad.
Following are excerpts from Sayyal's article:
"Death Toll Of American Aggressors And NATO Forces In Attacks By Afghan Police and National Army [Defectors] Would Increase Several Folds In The Future"
"According to my estimate, the death toll of American aggressors and NATO forces in attacks by Afghan Police and National Army [defectors] will increase several fold in the future. To support this claim, I share an experience with you. I wanted Allah Almighty to bestow me with the opportunity to know the views of the members of the [Afghan] National Army and Police on their attacks on aggressors.
"Luckily, the opportunity came when I recently went to my province on a jihadi journey and started jihadi activities after rejoining my associates. Sometimes attacks were to be conducted on enemy by planting roadside bombs, and sometimes by ambush. The string of operations continued. Once a local resident contacted me by phone and wished to come to see me or for me to meet him somewhere. As they were elders, so I decided to go there and meet them.
"When I reached the specified location, I saw two bearded elderly tribal elders. They started the conversation by discussing the work of the mujahideen and jihad, and expressed admiration of the local mujahideen for their good conduct and treatment of local residents. They went on to say that they and other people of the area were ready to cooperate with the mujahideen. Our meeting, which took place in a roadside orchard amidst sincerity and good intentions, covered several topics.
"The location was dangerous for the mujahideen; however, the meeting continued with great satisfaction. As the meeting was about to be concluded, a tribal elder, raising his finger toward three checkposts of the security forces, said:
"The checkposts ahead, the ones in front and the one below, all the three are under the control of one [Afghan security] commander. The commander [of the checkposts] secretly and repeatedly told me that he wanted to establish links with the Taliban. We have been trying for the last several days to contact you [Taliban], but unfortunately did not find people to be trusted and could not share it with all and sundry. By the grace of Allah, now we are satisfied. We have a good view about this commander. Now it depends on you, how you deal with him and what should be done next."
"I replied to them that I would discuss the matter with our emir [local Taliban leader] and the next step would be taken in the light of the principles and guidelines of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan [the Taliban's shadow government]. However, I have no authority to take any decision. Our meeting concluded with these sincere words and I said goodbye to them. When I reached the area I received a call from an unknown number. [The man on phone] told me immediately after exchanging greetings: 'Did you meet the two elders?'
"He introduced himself soon after I replied in affirmation, saying: 'I'm the commander of the same checkposts.' The commander also reminded me of the discussion I held with the local tribal elders. I also apprised him of the discussion with local elders and promised him to share the matter with my leader.
"When I met the emir and briefed him on the whole discussion, he recounted his instructions under the guidelines of the Islamic Emirate. I stayed with the emir for some time. Later, the emir decided that I should contact by phone the [government forces] commander [who was willing to work with the Taliban]. To contact [the commander], I went to an area located far away from our base where the phone network was active. I caught the commander on phone and shared with him the advice of the emir.
"The commander told me: 'I accept the decision of the Islamic Emirate whole heartedly and salute you with both hands that you have entered the battlefield empty-handed against those who desecrate our Holy Prophet and are making all-out efforts to eliminate our faith [Islam]… I too am a Muslim and an Afghan, and I will extend you all possible cooperation.' At last, it was agreed that the commander should join the mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate."
"[It] Satisfies Me That There Are Still Youth In The National Army And Police Who Have Love For Their Holy Religion And The Prophet, And Who Hate The Aggressors And Are Ready To Take Revenge On Them"
"However, the commander demonstrated something before joining [the Taliban]. By the grace of Allah Almighty, the commander fulfilled most of his promises. Once in the month of Ramadan [July-August 2012], [Taliban] colleagues wanted to plant land mines near a checkpost as per a tactical plan. We contacted the commander and he said: 'Ok, it is the most suitable place and appropriate time to conduct operations against the aggressors.'
"It was dusk, and redness in the sky had covered the mountaintops; the associates picked up the land mines, reached the designated place and planted the land mines in a few moments. It was time to break the fast, and the azans [calls inviting for prayer] could be heard, when the Romanian troops' tanks struck the land mines, which exploded with a big bang. The tank [flew] into pieces and all the troops in them were killed. The wreckage of the tank and the flesh of the troops was scattered widely.
"The commander phoned me moments after the roadside bomb attack, and said it was very successful explosion. The scene I witnessed is permanently recorded in my mind, as the commander was dancing near the body parts of the Romanian troops. A man told me: "When the commander was dancing along with his colleagues, more Romanian troops arrived there and saw him [dancing]. They expressed shock over the dancing and asked the commander why they were dancing. The commander replied: 'This is our [traditional] condolence rituals which are observed on such occasions.'