KABUL – Afghan security forces say they have always defended the nationalinterests and urge Taliban to shun violence and join them in defending themotherland because the Afghans are tired of the conflict.
These views were expressed at events marking the National Day of ArmedForces in different parts of the country on Thursday.
February 28 was named the Afghan Armed Forces Day by the Cabinet two yearsago.
The reason for specializing this day for Afghan forces dates back to KingAmanullah Khan who 100 years ago on February 28, 1919 won independence anddeclared he would not lay his weapon on the ground until the country waslibrated.
On this day, Afghan forces are given medals, appreciation letters and cashrewards as well as their sacrifices are appreciated and they are morallyencouraged.
The day was celebrated in different parts of the country on Thursday andthe Afghan forces promised to strongly defend the motherland.
Lt. Shukrullah, police chief of Samangan province, congratulated all hiscolleagues on celebrating the Afghan Armed Forces Day and said efforts forpeace had been accelerated and they all hoped for a stable peace in thecountry.
He said the Afghan forces were in the service of their people who proudlysupported their forces and their sacrifices.
Ezatullah, a soldier of the Security Belt between Marja and Nad Alidistricts of Helmand province, said he had been fighting against the Talibanlink for the last several years and hewould protect his areas and people.
“All Afghans are tired of the war, many of our colleagues lost their livesin this conflict, so we ask the Taliban to enter peace with the Afghangovernment and join us in defending this country and people,” he said.
Wali Mohammad, a soldier in Juram district of Badakhshan province, saidthat he was serving in security forces since two years to defend hiscountry.
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He said: “We want a durable peace in the country, all people are fed withthe violence which should no longer continue.”
Hussain Fahimi, who is police since last seven years in Daikundi province,said: “We always find ourselves our trenches, we are tired of war andinsecurity, not only police in Daikundi, but all Afghans want a stablepeace in their country,” he said.
Abdullah, a major in Afghan National Army (ANA) in Jawzjan province, saidAfghan security forces had the ability to fight against militant groups anddefend their country.
“As efforts for peace are ongoing inside and outside the country, we wantinsurgents to shun violence and join the peace process,” he said.
He also said all Afghans were tired of the war but they would fight untilmilitants followed orders of foreigners and waged violence in Afghanistanlink.
Esmatullah, an ANA solider in Kandahar province, who performed hard tasksin Shah Walikot, Khakrez and some other districts of the province, saidFebruary 28 should not be observed symbolically but the day should bededicated to paying attention to the rights of soldiers.
He said it was painful when soldiers lost their lives in defense of thecountry and their families and children were ignored.
“This situation kills the morale of soldiers, so the government andofficials concerned to be attentive to these problems and listen tosoldiers’ demands”, he concluded.
