By Afshain Afzal

After the undemocratic and unethical announcement by the American military and civilian intelligence agencies to accommodate and resettle thousands of Afghans including ethnic Hazara Afghans, personnel of Afghan Intelligence and National Army in the US, the focus of Washington has again been diverted towards Doha. Presently, the US Embassy at Doha is witnessing a lot of high-ranking movement. “US interests in Afghanistan need to be ensured at all costs, especially after US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban takeover of the country”, said one of the guest who tried to remain unidentified and had come from Virginia. In an open breach of Afghan sovereignty and national integrity, US authorities announced open airlift of Afghans to foreign soils without any legitimacy like passport/ visa or permission from Afghan authority. As per the original plan some 65,000 handpicked Afghan refugees to settle in the US this year and 95,000 by next year, followed by another 125,000 in 2023. However, as per an estimated record, the number has already exceeded the expected refugees; till 19 October the number crossed 235,800 Afghan refugees in the US.

In another development on 18 October 2021, US Charge de Affairs to Pakistan, Angela Aggeler met Pakistan Chief of the Army Staff at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi to convey message regarding US-Afghanistan strategy and expected cooperation from Pakistan with regard to US operations to control the prevailing situation in Afghanistan. To keep mouths shut Islamabad has been offered a lot of funding to purchase equipment and military courses for all shades of military officers including International Military Education and Training (IMET) programs for young Pakistani Army officers. It is interesting to note that recently same offer was extended to India which refused to airlift material and personnel from and to Kabul Airport due to security concerns; “No chance of Indian aircraft landing or taking off from Kabul”. New Delhi, however, agreed to provide facility to US personnel at Tajikistan as well as base at locations including Mundra and Kandla ports in the Gulf of Kutch in the Arabian Sea.  As per an Indian officer Ashok who indirectly indicated drone and marine movements.  Earlier, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman also visited India (6-7 October) and Pakistan (7-8 October) to finalize strategic repositioning and acquisition of bases.

Although, the complete withdrawal of US combatants was completed in the year 2010 and handful of security personnel and contractors were left in Afghanistan to look after US investment and multinational projects there, but there is reason why Washington is making so much hue and cry. No doubt, the wise decision by former US President Donald Trump to ensure complete US withdrawal by Christmas 2020 was criticized at that time by President Joseph Biden but ironically he followed the same decision rather implemented in true letter and spirit as there was no option to overcome humiliation and agony of defeat. Interestingly, the authorities at Arlington and Langley have levelled all blame on Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and US Envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad for the failure of US strategy in Afghanistan.  Accordingly, Zalmay Khalilzad has been replaced by his Deputy Thomas West as new Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation (SRAR).

In fact, the Western negotiators have been bluffing the world that they were carrying out intra-peace talks with Taliban, whereas at the Durham, with the exception of a few, all leaders and their associate were those splinter groups who defected Taliban and joined US and allies in the Western war against the Taliban. It was projected as if on 29 February 2021, an agreement was reached whereas a gesture was also given if Taliban were negotiating the talks but a later the talks were dragged till 15 March 2021 to force the dummy Afghan Taliban (sic) to sign an agreement that they would cut ties with the Taliban and Al-Qaida. Diana Shaw, the State Department's acting Inspector General, has issued notifications to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House and Senate intelligence committees, that her office is collecting pieces of evidence of "several oversight projects" regarding ending diplomatic relations in Afghanistan. Strange but true, the credibility of the office of US President has been seriously damaged as policy and agreements signed by the former President are being rejected by the next.

To destabilize Taliban government, the Doha based Western-patronized former Taliban as well as those loyal to Taliban are being targeted to eliminate Taliban top leadership. The factitious ISIS which is being funded by Washington and New Delhi to achieve the fall of Taliban is active in their missions. If we recall, in August Western agencies planned terrorist attack to build world opinion against the Taliban by blowing 13 US personnel and injuring more than 100 Afghans in a suicide attack outside the Kabul airport during the evacuation. Few days before the incident, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the United States believes there are still "specific, credible" threats against the airport after the bombing at one of its gates .He said, "We certainly are prepared and would expect future attempts... We're monitoring these threats, very, very specifically, virtually in real-time." Interestingly, on side US claims that Taliban are terrorists but US Commanders assigned Taliban forces positions in most places of Kabul airport, especially the outer gates, when most of the Americans were still at Kabul airport planning withdrawal. Although president Biden ordered the Pentagon to airstrike ISIS-K and the Islamic State affiliate that claimed responsibility one wonders why would it eliminate its own funded aids and terrorists. No one can deny the fact that presently all countries including China, Russia and India have joined hands to defy the 29^th February agreement and isolate Taliban from coming into power. 

By Afshain Afzal

Another phase of mass coldblooded murders of orthodox Muslims under the United Nations flag has been planned. Pressurizing Afghans to agree to western plans of future government in Kabul, all resources and humanitarian resources have been blocked for indefinite time period. Instead of addressing non-access to those who control Afghanistan after International Monetary Fund (IMF) blocked access to financial resources through World Bank development projects in Afghanistan worth more than $5.3 billion and $ 12.9 billion raised by Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund, the world nations are trying their level best to keep Afghanistan bleeding.

A new phrase has been coined in the United Nations Security Counsel Resolution 2773 of 2021, passed on 30 August 2021, “Protection of civilians and protection of objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population.” Cleverly crafted, UNSC Resolution drafted by US, Britain and France worked out a parallel government in United Nations protected safe zones. In the name of diplomacy, safe passage and freedom to be airlifted, the military maneouvers have been worked out to support one against other. The United Nations got its share by having approval of enhancement of technical expertise within United Nations country teams (Afghanistan) to respond effectively to support the provision of essential services. Is that's all?

The hidden words and approvals speaks of malafides plot by the western, Indian and neighbouring players. It is a “Lose-lose situation”, If the Afghan or Pashtun-Taliban cooperate in implementation of UNSC Resolution they lose and if breaches implementation, they again lose. The Resolution confirms Afghanistan as nation in armed conflict and reminds obligations of all parties to armed conflicts the prohibition of attacks directed against civilians and civilian objects, medical personnel and humanitarian personnel exclusively engaged in medical duties, their means of transport and equipment, hospitals, and other medical facilities.

Quite intelligently “civilian populations, civilian objects and all other persons and objects afforded protection” have been included in the Resolution to declare certain ethnic and religious communities as “persons afforded protection” to ensure their participation the the future government.

Phrases like, “Demands that all parties to armed conflicts fully comply with their obligations to distinguishing between, on the one hand, civilian populations, civilian objects and all other persons and objects afforded protection, and, on the other hand, combatants and military objectives, prohibiting indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, taking all feasible precautions in planning, deciding and conducting attacks to avoid, and in any event minimize, harm to civilians and civilian objects...”, “protecting humanitarian personnel and consignments used for humanitarian relief operations” and “starvation of civilians as a method of warfare as a war crime” speaks the plan to conduct military operation in the garb of humanitarian personnel and consignments engaged in humanitarian relief operations.

It seems that United Nations foresee continuation of armed conflict in Afghanistan for many years to come. It binds parties in conflict to protect civilians operating, maintaining or repairing critical objects to enable the delivery of essential services, as well as their movement for the purpose of maintaining, repairing or operating such objects as well as allowing and facilitating safe passage of equipment, transport and supplies necessary for the reparation, maintenance or operation of such objects.

It is irony that on one side the Resolution talks about armed conflict while on the other plans long term cooperation and coordination at the international level, including technical assistance and capacity building to reduce humanitarian needs, enhance long-term recovery, protect livelihoods, improve access to essential services, build resilience of conflict-affected populations, and recover from the pandemic, while ensuring full, equal and meaningful participation of women in efforts to promote and maintain peace and security and promoting the inclusion of young people, and contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The United Nations Organization must play its due role for peace rather than authorizing long tern armed conflict zones in Asia and Africa to keep nations bleeding. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

By Afshain Afzal

The 26^th August 2021 cowardly intelligence-operated attacks proved to be a perfect match with the plan made by the US and NATO forces. Earlier Pentagon made it clear that Washington has plans to adjust the timetable and the attack has made it “raison d’etre” for the extension of withdrawal. Interestingly, this time too Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISKP) has claimed responsibility for the deadly suicide attacks outside Kabul airport. US surgical units on board C-17 aircraft confirmed 13 deaths and 21 injuries of US servicemen. Eye witnesseses claimed 55 deaths and countless injuries. US President Joseph Biden announced revenge from the Afghans who carried out terrorist attacks at Kabul airport. His statement said, “We will respond with force and precision at our time, at a place we choose, in a moment of our choosing,” He said, “These ISIS terrorists will not win. We will rescue the Americans and we will get our Afghan allies and our mission will go on. America will not be intimidated.” Interestingly, Taliban kept themselves away from either capturing big cities or taking seat at Kabul. Rather they allowed US and foreign forces to take over the control of airports including and Hamid Karzai International Airport at Kabul. Later, the Qatar-based splinter group was asked by Americans to carryout only the physical check of those entering Kabul airport.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said, “We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of US & civilian casualties. We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate. We will continue to update.” Story circulated in the foreign circles said, “Two suicide bombers detonated in the vicinity, the Abbey Gate and Hamid Karzai International Airport near Baron Hotel and adjacent Abbey gate, which was followed by ISIS gunmen who opened fire on civilians and military forces.” Marine Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr,  head of U.S. Central Command said in a statement, “We believe attacks have been thwarted by them,” he said, but he added that it is unclear whether Taliban members allowed the militant near Abbey Gate, where the attack occurred. One of the Taliban’s responsibilities is to filter people who approach the gate” Meanwhile, clear instructions have been issued to United States force-commanders to chalk out operational plans to strike key assets, leadership, facilities and hideouts of the Islamic State terrorist group in Afghanistan. There are indications to strike Pakistani Balochistan province to link the name Khorasan with ISIS.

If we recall, Washington and allies, despite warnings from Afghans, were not interested to leave by 31 August 2021 and requested various stakeholders including Taliban to extend the period by the end of this year. Meanwhile, the US troops were seen shooing Afghans from Kabul and other airstrips. Statement issued by US State Department said that they have authentic reports of terrorist attacks at Kabul airport.  Referring back to British and Australian governments, US warned of a high threat level of terrorist attacks. Reports from the Kabul said that around 20,000 people are awaiting their evocation to foreign countries; some 10,000 were estimated at Kabul Airport on 26 August 2021. Britain had pledged to accommodate 20,000 Afghans but did not allow more than 3500. Another report said that London wanted to limit at 5000 immigrants. US claim that more than 80,000 people foreigners and Afghans have been evacuated since 15 August 2021 but the figures seem exaggerated and reports from Qatar, Tajikistan, and other European countries are in contradiction to claim.

Meanwhile, as predicted, United Nations Organizations has decided in principle to make emergency arrangements for hundreds of Afghan families who have been camping near the Kabul airport since 15 August.  The Pakistani authorities have agreed to provide food and medicine provided by World Health Organization (WHO) at Mazar-i-Sharif. The Pakistan national flag carrier would be utilized to carry the load. Islamabad has been also asked to eliminate terrorists from Pak – Afghanistan border and Balochistan. There were extensive movements of aircraft and drones were witnesses from remote bases in Tajikistan. Eyewitnesses say they are preparing for a massive attack. However, the same could not be confirmed taking place in the next 24 hours. Despite undertaking by the US and NATO to ensure the withdrawal of all troops by 31 August 2021, no on-ground preparations have been witnessed. It seems that the United Nations Organizations got another chance to show their humanitarian skills through renewed funding arriving from everywhere rather than permanent peace in Afghanistan. Let the eyes of UNO remain shut that India as a western ally has created ISIS and RAW is behind the Kabul airport attack.

By Afshain Afzal

Security Situation in Afghanistan has started improving as Taliban offered unconditional amnesty to all the Afghans and asked President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah to step down in order to pave way for democratic process in Afghanistan. There is a general announcement that no one would be prosecuted or punished and foreigners would have protection guarantee. Other developments include that Pushtuns of Afghanistan with Uzbeks and Tajiks in general have joined Taliban and made quite abrupt semi-military moves to fill the gap created after the withdrawal of foreign forces. However, foreign nations encouraged mass immigration of US-NATO affiliated Afghan groups to migrate to Iran, India and Western nations including the US, Canada, Greece and UK. Supportive black media propaganda has started gaining momentum like Taliban denied girls right to go to school, women are not allowed to work outside the home, women are forced to wear veil or Burqa and be escorted by a male relative when going outside. Such propaganda received mixed reaction. The influx of refugee movement has made the security situation complex. For the first time US-NATO afflicted groups were seen fleeing to Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and even to Russia. Personnel incharge at Uzbekistan’s Karshi Khanabad (K-2) Base confirmed the reports.

In another development Iran’s eighth president Ebrahim Raisi was elected as a result of 48.8 percent turnout, the lowest in any presidential race since the 1979 revolution. He has promised to take action to lift harsh sanctions imposed by the United States and bridge the gap with dissatisfied Iranians, however, he said that he will not tie the Iran’s future to the West. In a strategic move, Enrique Mora, the European Union’s senior representative in the Vienna talks, is expected to attend Raisi’s inauguration on 5 August 2021. There are high chances that as a result of major compromises separate EU-Iran and US-Iran agreements would be concluded. There are high hopes that 2015 nuclear deal with world powers would be revived in original. Soft corner by the Washington towards Tehran has been witnessed in the near past and after emergence of new leadership post elections, White House has reportedly offered mass immigration to the Afghan refugees through third parties as new phase of US Afghan strategy to create Iraq and Libya like situations in Afghanistan. It is being claimed the Pakistani leadership is in the knowledge of new plan but same could not be confirmed. Western and India media’s are releasing stories of Taliban’s anti-Shia and anti-Hazara but same could not be confirmed on ground. There were available links that suggested some Afghan factions maintaining communication with Western representatives, Iranian leadership and elements in Pakistan were also involved in terrorist attacks in Afghanistan to aggravate security situation in Afghanistan.

At the Afghan capital Kabul, President Ashraf Ghani presented a security plan to challenge the Taliban onslaught before the country’s parliament, but its details have not been made public. Western nations attentions were attracted towards what the Presidential statement said, “Taliban have started violating Human Rights”. In a collective move, the US and the UK as well as other western nations have accused the Taliban of “war crimes” in the southern town of Spin Boldak in Kandahar province, alleging that dozens of civilians were massacred.

Strange foreign forces have started leaving the country, Medicine Sans Frontier (MSF) coordinator looking after Helmand Project started furnishing situation reports, “There has been relentless gunfire, air strikes and mortars in densely populated areas. Houses are being bombed, and many people are suffering severe injuries.” The embassies of Washington and London have started giving separate tweets in which “War Crimes of Taliban” are being highlighted. UK representative in Afghanistan tweeted, "In Spin Boldak, Kandahar, the Taliban massacred dozens of civilians in revenge killings. These murders could constitute war crimes; they must be investigated & those Taliban fighters or commanders responsible held accountable." Tweet said, “The Taliban’s leadership must be held responsible for the crimes of their fighters. If you cannot control your fighters now, you have no business in governance later.”

Although Thomas Nicholson, head of the European Union delegation to Afghanistan was not available for comments but he was quoted to have said, “If Taliban rise to power militarily, the EU will not recognise them.” Afghan media reported that Nicholson said “We are clearly very concerned about the situation. We are trying to stay involved in Afghanistan as much as possible and will continue our development assistance. We will be involved politically, as well.” In a statement US State Department said, “In light of increased levels of Taliban violence, the US government is working to provide certain Afghans, including those who worked with the United States, the opportunity for refugee resettlement to the US.” Interestingly, UNHCR is also presenting gloomy predictions. It is expected that by the end of this month, situation would be much clear. However, fears prevails that Western allies may execute their plan to carryout mass killings of Afghans on ethnic and sectarian grounds before 10^th of September to find an excuse of direct attacks on Afghanistan to hunt Taliban and affiliated.

By Afshain Afzal

Fake news is being propagated by western interest players in Middle East that the senior leaders of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad coordinated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iranian supported Hezbollah in their latest Gaza attacks against Israel. Hamas leadership in West Bank and Gaza have strongly refuted the allegation and said, “Our leadership with the support of Allah through Muslim nations are sufficient and no foreign country in directly involved, whether in advisory role or on ground warriors”. It was added, “Saudi Arabia and Turkey have assured of their moral, financial and arms and armament support when situation arises.”

Misleading impression is being reflected by sponsored media including Lebanese Al-Akhbar and Al-Manar TV which stated that the “IRGC, Hezbollah, and Hamas set up a joint military operations room in Beirut during the latest conflict with Israel.” It stated, “the Commander of IRGC’s Al-Quds Force, General Esmail Qaani, visited Lebanon twice to attend the meetings.” Hamas leadership have refuted any such meeting or understanding and added that Hezbollah is Lebanon based and both Hezbollah and IRGC have no connection with present struggle to free Palestinian territory from Israeli occupation on the basis of UNSC Resolutions. They declined having ever spoken to General Qaani on the phone or otherwise and rejected baseless claim that “head of Hamas’s politburo and the secretary-general of Palestinian Islamic Jihad and assured them of Iran’s support”.

Baseless and unfounded allegation have been levelled on Hamas, which represents Palestinians all across that Hezbollah, acting as Iran’s proxy, transported weaponry and ammunition to Gaza and moved a number of Palestinian Resistance officers out of the Strip during the fighting. A Gaza-based Hamas leader said on the condition of anonymity that this is a joint US-Israel strategy to spread the Palestinian movement towards Lebanon.

If we peep into the series of incidents, the 13th of April was the turning point, the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan; Twenty-seven days before the first rocket was fired from Gaza on Israeli security forces positions by Palestinian representative organisation, “Hamas”. On this day, Israeli police officers entered the most sacred Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and manhandled worshippers, cutoff connection to speakers from four centuries old minarets and created an ugly situation. Earlier, Israelis asked the Muslims to seize use of loudspeakers for that day or at least pend call for prayers on loudspeaker when Israeli President was delivering a speech at the Western Wall, that lies below the Al Aqsa Mosque. The Palestinians leadership including Hamas and the Islamic Jihad rejected an Israeli request as it accounts to disrespectful before the Almighty Allah. Police raided Al Aqsa Mosque and disconnected the speakers, which was rightly termed by Sheikh Sabri as “a clear message to us that the Israeli police wanted to desecrate the Aqsa Mosque and the holy month of Ramadan.” This was followed by show of force by Israelis as series of raids on Al Aqsa Mosque.

On 21 April, just a week after the police raid, a few hundred members of a Jewish group, “Lehava”, marched through central Jerusalem, chanting slogans “Death to Arabs” and attacking Palestinian passers-by. The situation become further tense when a group of Jews was filmed attacking a Palestinian home, and assaulted others believed to be Palestinian. Due to tense situation, on 29 April, President Mahmoud Abbas cancelled the Palestinian elections. Since the holy month of Ramadan, especially on Friday 30 April, Israeli police created hindrances during prayers, trying to stop Palestinians from accessing the Old City, forcing the Palestinian leadership to retaliate. Left with no other option, Palestinian allowed Hamas to take over the cause of Palestinian and control the situation as things were getting out of hands. Again a Israeli police become more coercive and raided the Aqsa Mosque on Friday, 7 May where Police officers armed with tear gas, stun grenades and rubber-tipped bullets burst into the mosque compound leading to several hours of clashes with stone-throwing protesters in which hundreds were injured. Naturally, Hamas took over the Palestinian leadership and taught lesson to the Israelis not to forget that this land belonged to them.

The confidence and legality of taking punitive against Israel by Hamas had spring through the UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 242, which called for Israel to withdraw from occupied lands to secure and recognise borders in exchange for peace and UNSC Resolution 2334 (2016), where the Security Council reaffirmed that Israel’s establishment of settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Jerusalem, had no legal validity, constituting a flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the vision of two States living side-by-side in peace and security, within internationally recognized borders. The Council reiterated its demand that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities and it would not recognize any changes to the 4 June 1967 lines, including with regard to Jerusalem, other than those agreed by the two sides through negotiations.

In March 2007 the UNSC added an embargo on arms exports from Iran. This was followed in June 2010 by a UN embargo on the export of most major conventional weapons to Iran. They were amended in October 2015 allowing supplies of major arms and related components and services with the specific approval from the Security Council. The UN restrictions on supplies of major arms to and all arms from Iran expired in October 2020. The Israel – US plan is to develop link between Hamas and Hizbullah cum Iran to not only convince United Nations to reimpose restrictions on supplies of major arms to Hamas and Hizbullah but also malign Iran’s IRGC with international repercussions. We have seen the democratic system under which President Mahmoud lost all hopes after the court decided Palestinians as illegal. It was only Hamas, which made the international community realise how the Palestinians are being treated and highlighted Israeli war crimes. It is high time that the Palestinian as well as Muslim around the world recognise Hamas as main representative of Palestinian and started legal peaceful struggle for the establishment of Palestine as independent and sovereign state with capital as Jerusalem.