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On August 15, 2024, the National Resistance Front (NRF) of Afghanistan, which is one of the main anti-Taliban resistance groups, released a statement on the occasion of the third anniversary of the collapse of the former Afghan government and the Taliban's seizure of power.
"The Taliban, who represent ignorance and darkness, have closed the doors of knowledge and enlightenment to Afghanistan's women and girls. They have physically eliminated a significant number of the country's citizens who opposed their views and actions, whether directly or covertly," the NRF said in a statement issued in multiple languages.
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban) came to power on Asad 24 (which that year corresponded to August 15, 2021). In 2024, Asad 24, according to the Hijri solar calendar, which is distinct from the Hijri lunar calendar, fell a day earlier on August 14.
Following is the text of the statement:
"Many Were Declared Permissible To Kill For Their Roles In The Republic"
"Statement of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan Regarding Three Years Of The Illegitimate Rule Of The Taliban Over Afghanistan
"On August 15, 2021, the Taliban, through the most heinous human crimes, violence, and extremism, once again, with the support of regional intelligence agencies, the disgraceful Doha agreement with the United States, and the collaboration of internal agents in a visible and hidden systematic conspiracy, seized power.
"During their three years of illegitimate rule over Afghanistan, this group has spared no form of oppression and crime against the defenseless citizens of the country. They have ruthlessly killed many people for asserting their fundamental Islamic and human rights or imprisoned them in their dreadful prisons. Additionally, many were declared permissible to kill for their roles in the Republic, and this group's actions have made the lives and property of the people insecure.
"The Taliban, who represent ignorance and darkness, have closed the doors of knowledge and enlightenment to Afghanistan's women and girls. They have physically eliminated a significant number of the country's citizens who opposed their views and actions, whether directly or covertly. The widespread human rights violations and war crimes committed by this group have been documented multiple times by international organizations and human rights institutions. The Taliban's rise to power has also caused the collapse of the country's economic foundations. International organizations that provided employment and opportunities for thousands of people left Afghanistan due to the restrictions and interferences imposed by the Taliban, exacerbating poverty and deprivation in the country.
"By Establishing Extremist Madrassas And Positioning Regional Terrorist Groups In Afghanistan, They Have Endangered Afghanistan's Future And Its Relations With Neighboring Countries"
"The imposition of restrictions on all aspects of people's lives has made life difficult for the citizens, causing millions to flee their homeland, making Afghanistan the country with the highest number of migrants worldwide since 2020. Over the past three years, alongside their physical and psychological oppression, the Taliban have seized people's property, land, and homes in various provinces of Afghanistan and have forcibly displaced people from certain regions of the country.
"The Taliban's seizure of power has led to the emergence of numerous armed, political, and civil movements, including active women's movements, both inside and outside the country, that have risen to struggle against this oppressive group. The continuous rule of the Taliban poses a serious threat to neighboring countries and even the region. By establishing extremist madrassas and positioning regional terrorist groups in Afghanistan, they have endangered Afghanistan's future and its relations with neighboring countries.
"From the very first days that the Taliban usurped power in the country, the National Resistance Front, responding to the people's call to fight terrorism and extremism, raised the banner of resistance. In the past three years, many freedom-loving men and women have sacrificed their lives in pursuit of freedom and justice. The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, as a liberation movement, will continue its struggle until it brings equal rights, social justice, the establishment of order, democracy, and freedom of speech to all in Afghanistan."
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