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On June 22, 2024, Dr. Hudhayfah Abdullah Azzam, who is the son of the slain Palestinian jihadi theologian and leader, Shiekh Abdullah Azzam, shared a post on X (formerly Twitter) claiming the Afghan Taliban was planning to participate in the war against Israel, and has already taken steps in this direction.[1]
"The Afghan Taliban movement is serious about participating in the battle against the usurping entity and gaining the honor of participating in the battle to liberate the place[2] of the Messenger of Allah [i.e., Jerusalem], may Allah send his prayers upon him and peace."
Azzam wrote that Afghan Taliban officials met with their Iranian counterparts to discuss how to extend support to Palestinians, including sending fighters.
"A delegation from the Taliban movement met with Iranian officials to discuss ways of cooperation to strike the usurping entity [Israel]. The delegation offered to send combat-experienced mujahideen to participate in the ongoing battles which is taking place in the land of pride, honor and heroism [Gaza]."
He added that the Aghan Taliban officials stated that their government's was ready "to support the fighting fronts in Palestine and Lebanon" by sending "mujahideen who are experienced in combat."
According to his account on X, which has 330,000 followers, Azzam lives in Amman, Jordan. The Saudi-funded Al-Arabyia.net reported that following the killing of his father in December 1989, the son, along with the rest of the family remained in Peshawar, moving between Arab fighters and Afghan factions. In the same year he me[3]
Between the years 1995-1996, the Pakistani authorities arrested Hudhayfah and his brother, handing them over to the Egyptian embassy in Islamabad in connection with the bombing of the Egyptian embassy in Pakistan. After their release, 17 days later, Azzam's family was deported from Pakistan to Jordan.
[1] X, June 22, 2024.
[2] The references to the "Israa and Mi`eraj" are to Prophet Mohammad's nocturnal journey to the Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, and his ascension from there to heaven.
[3] Last accessed on June 26, 2024.
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