The following report is now a complimentary offering from MEMRI's Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor (JTTM). For JTTM subscription information, click here.
In a Dari-language report, the Afghan media group Paigah News recently revealed that a Turkish charity is involved in providing financial aid to the families of Afghan Taliban suicide bombers who fought against the U.S. and NATO forces during the 20 years of jihad (2001-2021).
The Dari-language report is titled "A Turkish Foundation Provides Financial Support To The Families Of Taliban Suicide Bombers."
Following are excerpts from the report:
"According to credible sources, a foundation named 'Turks Charity Foundation,' which has been active at Ansari intersection in Kabul city for the past six months, has given money to dozens of families of the Taliban suicide bombers since the first day of Eid [al-Adha, April 10, 2024].
"On Friday, Sartan 1 [June 21, 2024], sources told Paigah news agency that this foundation pays 100 U.S. dollars, or its equivalent in afghanis, to each child. According to the sources, dozens of children who are related to the families of the Taliban suicide bombers are exchanging dollars in Ansari Square, which they have received from the Turkish foundation, and exchanging them for afghanis in the local currency exchange offices.
"A source, quoting security guards of the Turks Charity Foundation, informed Salar Azadi, the reporter of Paigah news, that the financial aid from this entity is specifically allocated to the families of suicide bombers, and dozens of families of the Taliban suicide bombers have visited there in the past few days to receive financial assistance.
"The source also added that in the past three days [before June 21], $180,000 USD has been given to the families of suicide bombers by this foundation, and it continues...
"It should be said that suicide attacks have been among the ugliest terrorist acts perpetrated by the Taliban group in the past 20 years - in mosques, schools, and cities, resulting in the killing and injuring of thousands of innocent civilians. This act by the Taliban, carried out under the pretext of Istishhadi [martyrdom-seeker], has been repeatedly declared haram [forbidden] by the council of Islamic religious scholars of the world, especially by Afghan scholars."
