Afghan Taliban have emerged ever stronger in Afghanistan
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KABUL: Most of the Afghan analysts and government officials are of the view that weak management, foreign interference and the Taliban’s show of power are the main causes of the recent attacks on Farah City.
The Taliban fighters stormed this western city five days ago and were able to reach the heart of the city following intense fighting with security forces, killing more than 50 Afghan troops.
Majority of the analysts and government officials believe that Iran was involved in the attack and wanted to hurdle massive projects, especially construction of dams. The others, however, opined that with the attack on Farah, Taliban conveyed the message that they could not be destabilized rather strengthened than ever before contrary to Afghan government and their foreign allies claims that the Taliban were defeated at war front and their power of conducted coordinated attacks was eliminated.
“The reaching of Taliban to the heart of Farah city in the presence of foreign forces means that security institutions and government management is zero and has no ability to control any area,” said Balqis Roshan, member of parliament.
She told Afghan media outlet that foreign interference, especially Iran’s, were the causes that have kept the war in Farah warm.
According to the lawmaker, the intelligence agencies had information several days before the attack that several groups of gunmen had crossed into Afghanistan from Iran but no one stopped them or raised voice against it.
She continued that though the Afghan government daily claim of expanding their writ but actually they losses more areas each day.
Dr. Ramzan Bashar Dost, another lawmaker, also see weak management as the major case of war in Farah city. “It might be right that the attack in Farah was a show of power by Taliban or they had Iran’s support, but on the other hand, what was the reaction of our government,” he told AIP.
He alleged that appointments in the security institutions are still made on the basis of nepotism and this was the reason that Taliban reached to Farah city.
General Attiqullah Amarkhil, a Kabul based military analyst, however, said the attack on Farah city meant to show that Taliban have not yet been weakened and they conveyed the same message to Afghan government and the international community with the capturing of different parts of the city.
He said NATO forces commander in Afghanistan General John Nicolson had claimed a week ago that they defeated the Taliban and increased pressure on them to destabilize and bring them to peace talks.
He said the Farah attack showed that the Taliban have not been weakened in the war, adding “The Taliban have not been weakened rather bagged more resources and equipment for several months of war after capturing some parts of Farah city.”
Defense Minister Tariq Shah Bahrami while visiting Farah city Saturday (May 19) said that not only two neighbours but several other regional countries were behind the Farah attack.
Though he did not disclose the names of the regional countries he referred to, some Afghan officials had also accused Russia of supporting Taliban, besides Iran.
Bahrami said that the construction of dams in the province have created concern for some people who resorted to fueling insecurity, adding the war in Farah occurred due water control by Afghanistan. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, meanwhile, said the war in Farah was not for water rather for freedom of the country. Posting images of NATO commander attending meeting with Afghan officials and US flag in Farah on his twitter page, the Taliban spokesman said, “The war is not for water but due to this flag and person. Our soil, air and water have been held hostage by Americans.”
Yousaf Amin Zazi, a political analyst in Kabul, said the situation might not had reached to attack on Farah city, had there existed coordination among the government officials in central government and appointment on merit. Instead of maintain security, the civil and security officials are busy in protecting their personal interests and looting the national exchequer, he said.
