The Taliban, who call themselves the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, have released a statement regarding some changes to their treatment toward the Afghan security forces. While these changes come a few conditions (outlined below), which could be interpreted in several different ways.

The first is that the stipulations and demands do not essentially change anything, as they could be read as an attempt to unify Afghans against American forces, whether militarily or even politically. A statement like this makes them look amicable to Afghan civilians, while they don’t have to alter their current strategies or efforts at all.

It could also be seen as a step toward the plan that U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis outlined in March, 2018. Mattis said they were going to work toward reconciliation between the Taliban and the Afghan government, and that they must put down their differences in order to rebuild and move forward. That doesn’t necessarily mean that the Taliban and the U.S. must be on good terms — the Taliban do not pose a particularly dangerous threat to the U.S. as a whole, not like they could threaten the current Afghan government.

Mattis said,

[Victory in Afghanistan means] a country whose own people and their own security forces can handle law enforcement, any threats … with international support … all working to achieve a reconciliation — a political reconciliation, not a military victory — the victory will be a political reconciliation.”

If you want to read the text of the statement, scroll down and find it at the bottom.

The statement by the Taliban begins with a picture being painted of the slow but steady victory by the Taliban in various regions throughout Afghanistan. It does not mention the recent, devastating loss they suffered in Farah, and they claim they are pushing the United States into a “feeble defensive posture all the while losing tens of soldiers on the frontlines every day.”

The statement goes on to claim that the Taliban are concerned because they are forced to fight and kill other Afghans since they are working with the United States. It is here where they pledge amnesty distinguishing the Afghans security forces from the “American invaders.”

[The Afghan casualties] naturally entails more grief and sorrow for the Afghan families hence the Islamic Emirate – to establish final proof – declares a general amnesty to all military formations, national army, national police, Arbakis and all employees of the regime to safeguard their lives and wealth.”

The stipulations are not to be ignored, and this could easily become justification for the Taliban seeing Afghans going back on their deal if they do not immediately surrender and submit to Sharia law.

• The first stipulation explains that any attacks on security forces are their own fault, since they are aligning themselves with the American enemy. They seem to speak in a tone of friendly admonishment, keeping a door open for anyone who wants to either defect or even simply leave the fight altogether — both would be a win for the Taliban. However, the final sentence of this statement is important:
  “In case you do leave the enemy ranks, the Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate will guarantee protection of your life and wealth through a general amnesty.”
  It is this stipulation that could be turned around. If the United States leaves, they may still see the Afghan government as a puppet, never having left the “enemy ranks.”
• The second point goes into the history of why the Americans are considered the ultimate evil power that they are compelled to fight — outlining a history of violence against Muslims across the world. Interestingly enough, they lump Bush, Obama and Trump altogether as the pinnacle of western antagonism, people who most Americans would not categorize together as being on the same side.
  They offer forgiveness for those who recognize their mistake in aligning themselves with the U.S. and seek redemption.
• The third point makes them seem more amicable than ever. They say they don’t expect anyone who leaves the cause of the American “regime” to continue fighting — rather, that they live ordinary lives. The Taliban claims that this is what they have been fighting for.
• The next point appeals to the Afghan peoples’ emotions and paints the Americans in a sort of maniacally evil light. “They snug away their children and families in foreign countries in complete comfort and even snatch away whatever little concessions you are supposedly promised…”
  They say “for the sake of your own lives” they ought to “leave the support of the Americans.” However, this could also be read as a justification for more violence — the Taliban are notorious for killing people just for speaking with the Americans, as speech seems to equal support. This way they can make it seem like it was their own fault the Taliban had to kill them.
• The fifth and final point is a promise that the Taliban will continue with their jihad against the United States until they can install an “Islamic System,” which in the case of the Taliban means Sharia law. This might also be a promise that the plan Mattis is proposing is impossible, as they may see anything but the installment of Sharia law an alignment with American ideals.

Read the entire text of the statement here:

Statement of Islamic Emirate regarding amnesty for Kabul administration employees seeking surrender

With the passage of a month since the launch of Al Khandaq operations by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan against the American invaders and their internal supporters, a lot of progress has been observed. Large regions have been cleared from the servile regime as the enemy is pushed into a feeble defensive posture all the while losing tens of soldiers on the frontlines every day.

These security forces however are our own countrymen who have joined the ranks of America due to misguidance or other reasons. The Americans want to substitute these Afghans for themselves in the ongoing war.

Due to the very high number of casualties being suffered by the Kabul administration police and other forces (forecasted to increase even further) that naturally entails more grief and sorrow for the Afghan families hence the Islamic Emirate – to establish final proof – declares a general amnesty to all military formations, national army, national police, Arbakis and all employees of the regime to safeguard their lives and wealth. It also wishes to elucidate to the following points:

1 – The main focus of Mujahideen attacks in Al Khandaq operations are the Americans and their foreign allies. You however are turning into Mujahideen targets because you are protecting the foreign invaders and the corrupt regime which they have installed. Since the foreign invaders and their installed corrupt regime are neither in your interest or in the interest of our country nor are they in the interest of your religion and beliefs therefore rescue yourselves and prove your loyalty towards your Lord, beliefs and land by forsaking their ranks. In case you do leave the enemy ranks, the Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate will guarantee protection of your life and wealth through a general amnesty.

2 – You must understand that the invading Americans are the historic enemies of Islam, Quran and Ummah (nation) of Muhammad. They have martyred hundreds of thousands of Muslims in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and around the globe. They recently occupied the first Qibla of Muslims and shifted their embassy to Baitul Maqdis, making it their most hate-filled move yet against Islam and Muslims. Standing in the same rank with warring infidels and the most ardent enemies of Islam and Quran as well as fighting for them and murdering your own countrymen for their objectives are such unforgivable crimes that if one was to die upon them, one would face the most stern punishment in the hereafter and would be resurrected for judgment in the same grouping as Bush, Obama and Trump.

Therefore you must reflect on consequences for hereafter and eternal life. Lift yourselves out of the pit of wrongdoings and misguidance. Utilize this opportunity of being alive and the doors of repentance being open. Show regret for your actions as Allah Almighty is the oft Forgiving, most Merciful and there is hope that all your wrongdoings will be forgiven by Allah Almighty.

3 – The Mujahideen never expect that you fight in the ranks of Mujahideen once you leave those of the regime. Rather after leaving the ranks of those protecting the invaders, they want you to return to normal life, to safeguard your families from misery and grief and to save your children from becoming orphans and your wives widows. The Mujahideen shall use every means at their disposal to try and ease your life.

4 – Forces that are fighting for the defense of invaders and corrupt regime!

Do you not understand how carelessly your lives are thrown away just so that the corrupt officials can extend their corrupt rule? They snug away their children and families in foreign countries in complete comfort and even snatch away whatever little concessions you are supposedly promised to further this proxy war.

Do you not understand that your corrupt officials not only play with your lives but loot the chastity of your honor after your death? So why would you throw away your lives and destroy the future of your children and families for such corrupt and immoral officials?

For the sake of your own lives, for the protection of your children and for deliverance in the afterlife, leave the support of the Americans and accept the invitation by the Islamic Emirate of a life of peace and honor for you and your families.

5 – The Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate are determined with the help of Allah Almighty to intensify their Jihadi attacks against the invaders and their backers. The Mujahideen shall continue their Jihad until our country is completely freed from foreign occupation and an opportunity is afforded for the establishment of an Islamic system.

So before you die in dishonor in the ranks of the invaders in this war of independence, the Islamic Emirate once again invites you to leave the ranks of the invaders and offers general amnesty for all those who leave the enemy fold. Do not delay any further and miss out on this golden opportunity.

Wasalam

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

02/09/1439 Hijri Lunar

18/05/2018 Gregorian

Featured image: An Afghan anti-Taliban tank gunner prays next to his tank position over looking the White Mountains of Tora Bora in north eastern Afghanistan Monday, Dec. 10, 2001. | AP Photo/David Guttenfelder