Crisis in Afghanistan

INTERNATIONAL   |   Doha, Qatar  -  The Taliban have called on Turkey and world powers to help Afghanistan, days after the group seized power in the war-torn country.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency on Wednesday (26/8), Mohammad Naeem, spokesman for the Taliban's political office in Qatar, said that the Afghan movement has been the target of media attacks for the past two decades and has been denied the right to self-defense.

"Turkey is an important country in the world and the Turkish people are Muslim brothers and sisters and we maintain historical, social and cultural ties [with Turkey]," Naeem said.

The Taliban spokesman said his group was in communication with the Turkish state. "We want to establish good relations with Turkey and develop this relationship in the future," he added.

Naeem said that the Afghan people have been ravaged by war over the past four decades.

"The Afghan people need help and we call on all countries, especially Turkey, to help our people and our country," he said.

The group's spokesman added that Turkey could "play an important and constructive role in Afghanistan in terms of rebuilding the war-torn country".

The Taliban seized control of Afghan authorities after taking control of the capital Kabul on August 15, forcing the president and other top officials to leave the country. The unexpected power struggle triggered a massive displacement of people from Afghanistan, including civilians assisting foreign troops or groups.

Naeem said the Taliban's actions on the ground would reassure the Afghan people and globally. "We don't have many problems in Afghanistan, because we are with the people and the people are with us, we know each other," he said.

The Taliban spokesman noted that the biggest problem facing Afghanistan is war. "The war has disrupted all aspects of life in Afghanistan," Naeem said.

“We managed to end the war that was forced on us for 20 years. It is the desire of every one of us to end the war,” the spokesman said.

"We can seize this opportunity and believe that our people are capable of rebuilding their country."

A Taliban spokesman said the Afghan group, which was ousted from power by the US-led occupation in 2001, has been in contact with several countries and organizations over the past 10-15 years.

"During this period, the Taliban managed to create an understanding with these parties despite differences of opinion," he continued.

The spokesman said peer-to-peer communication has helped resolve misunderstandings between the Taliban and the other side. "We have tried this with several countries when we communicated with them," Naeem said without naming the countries.

He said his movement was communicating with a number of countries. "They might raise some issues like the drug issue," Naeem said.

"We have succeeded in eliminating this problem in the past, but this requires assistance from all parties, especially the international community," he explained.

Women's Rights

A Taliban spokesman said the religion of Islam protects the rights of women and minorities. “We are absolutely committed to [protecting] women's rights. Women have the right to education, work and wealth," said Naeem.

He continued, “We convinced everyone of this. We're not going to say that the situation will improve in a day or two. We want to be given the opportunity to solve this problem.”

The Taliban spokesman lamented that his group had been the target of the media for the past two decades. "They are all against us and we haven't had a chance to talk except for the last three years," he explained.

As for the form of government in Afghanistan in the coming period, a Taliban spokesman said "the rules should be according to Islam".

"More than 99 percent of Afghans are Muslim so people should be governed according to their beliefs, traditions and norms," ??he added.

"All attempts of the occupation to change people's beliefs and traditions have failed," Naeem said.

He said that the Afghan government must be Islamic. There are many forms of government in Islam, and elections are a tool but not an end.

Dialog

The Taliban spokesman blamed the United States (US) and other foreign powers for pushing Afghans out of Afghanistan.

"We know our society. If I tell someone that I will fly him to the US or another country without needing to have a passport, of course he will go," Naeem said.

A Taliban spokesman said his movement seeks to solve problems in Afghanistan through dialogue and providing understanding.

“Our policy aims to solve problems through dialogue. This has paid off in all countries of the world," he said.

The spokesman said the Taliban managed to take control of Afghanistan by reaching an understanding. "We don't want trouble or war," Naeem said.

“Ending the war has been the desire of all Afghans. We advise everyone once again to live together,” he exclaimed.

Naeem said the Taliban had announced an amnesty to all government employees. "We are looking forward to a new future and building our country," he said.

"We have assured all military and non-military employees that they will have the opportunity in the future to serve their people and country."

Kabul Airport

As for the proposed UN surveillance of Kabul Airport, a Taliban spokesman said the airport was built on Afghan territory. “Afghans are responsible for their land and interests. This is a question of sovereignty," he stressed.

"The management of our country is our responsibility and we have the capability to do it," Naeem said, adding that the Taliban fighters would secure the airport.

The Taliban spokesman called on all countries to respect Afghan law and sovereignty. "We don't want to give our country to someone else to run it," Naeem said.

"We are ready to resolve problems with all parties through dialogue and without neglecting the rights of our country," he concluded.