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In a Pashtu-language statement, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the former mujahideen commander and leader of Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan, has congratulated "the Syrian mujahideen on their victories" against the tyrannical regime of Bashar Al-Assad.
"Praise be to Allah that another vile and cruel Pharaoh and his brutal rule have been overthrown; he and his father worked for foreigners for six decades, ruling oppressed Syria with their support," Gulbuddin Hekmatyar said in statement, which does not mention Iran.
The Hezb-i-Islami leader, who faces restrictions from the Taliban rulers, said: "After the conquest, the statements and declarations of the new Syrian leaders are proof that the new leadership of this country is faithful, fighting, intelligent, and committed to Islam."
A screenshot of the statement
Following is the statement, as translated from Pashtu:
"Due To The Brutality And Oppression Of This Corrupt Family, Nearly 13 Million Of The Noble Syrian People Became Refugees And Scattered All Over The World"
"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
"Congratulations To The Syrian Mujahideen On Their Victories
"We congratulate the resilient and courageous people of Syria, the mujahideen, and the entire Islamic Ummah on this great and historic victory. We ask Allah almighty to grant you further achievements and victories.
"We and the entire Islamic Ummah shared your pain, suffering, and difficulties yesterday, and today we are with you in your successes and happiness.
"Praise be to Allah that another vile and cruel Pharaoh and his brutal rule have been overthrown; he and his father worked for foreigners for six decades, ruling oppressed Syria with their support, and due to the brutality and oppression of this corrupt family, nearly 13 million of the noble Syrian people became refugees and scattered all over the world.
"The series of migrations began 60 years ago with the coup government of the great Syrian Pharaoh Hafez Al-Assad and continued to this day.
"Foreign powers, for their colonial interests, imposed authoritarian governments of mercenary ethnic, political, and religious minorities in many Islamic countries, including Syria. The occupiers still have bases in Syria and an active military and intelligence presence on the ground and in the air. The U.S., Russia, Israel, and their other allies are still lurking in Syria. The Syrian problem can only be solved when they emerge from their ambush, their atrocities end, and the Syrian people are allowed to determine their own destiny."
"After The Fall Of The Islamic Caliphate [In Turkey In 1924], The Colonialists Transferred Internal Rivalries And Proxy Wars To Islamic Countries, Imposing Dictatorial Regimes Of Kings And Generals"
"After the conquest, the statements and declarations of the new Syrian leaders are proof that the new leadership of this country is faithful, fighting, intelligent, and committed to Islam. Their insistence on a consultative and legal system, national unity, tolerance, and resistance to tyranny and monopolization is what the entire nation needs.
"After the fall of the Islamic Caliphate [in Turkey in 1924], the colonialists transferred internal rivalries and proxy wars to Islamic countries, imposing dictatorial regimes of kings and generals, coup governments, the ugly faces of ethnic, political, and religious minorities, and oppressive rule on Islamic nations.
"This is the first time that in an Islamic country like Syria, after the victory of the revolution, the statements of the new leaders [led by Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham] ensure that a complete shari'a system will be established in this country, minorities will be protected, and Syria will not be used to harm other countries.
"We call on all internal and external parties to respect the Syrian people's right to sovereignty and self-determination and not to view the achievements of this nation as a threat. We pray for the full support of this historic and great change in Syria, and we believe that this will be another important step toward restoring the greatness and glory of the Islamic Ummah."
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