Conflicts & War

Taliban commemorate 1992 ouster of Soviet-backed Afghan government

Kabul, Apr 28 (EFE).- The de facto Taliban government Thursday celebrated the 30th anniversary of Mujahideen Victory Day to commemorate the end of the Soviet-backed government of Mohammad Najibullah in 1992.

“It is the day of victory, freedom, and salvation of Afghans, which resulted in the sacrifices of our Mujahideen nation, and our people and country were saved from the dragon of communism,” a government statement said.

The Taliban said they “hope that the aggressor countries have learned many lessons for the future and do not choose the way of enmity and hostility.”

In power since Aug.15, the Taliban marked Apr.27 as a “black day” in the history of Afghanistan, recalling the date of a pro-Soviet coup in 1978 that opened the doors for the invasion a year later.

“The communists staged a coup in Afghanistan, which marked the beginning of much misery, suffering, and catastrophe in the country, and our Muslim nation and the Mujahideen revolted against the communists with so many sacrifices and freed Afghanistan from communism which lasted 14 years,” the statement said.

Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani hoped the Afghan people would gather under one umbrella to live with each other.

“We have promised to the international community that Afghans will never threaten anyone, especially our neighbors, and we ask them to do the same,” he said.

Usually, in Afghanistan, the day is celebrated to commemorate the day of the Mujahideen victory when they entered Kabul and overthrew the Najibdullah government in 1992.

But some political analysts and Afghan people criticize the war against Najibullah’s government after the withdrawal of Soviets forces.

“Definitely the Afghan nation won the battle against the Soviets but the start of the problems and miseries was the war against the government of Najibullah when Soviets withdrew and the invasion ended,” Zalamai Malang, a political analyst, told EFE.

A few years of internal conflict led to the emergence of the Taliban movement in 1994, then seen with relief in the face of violence and chaos, and the capture of Kabul by the Islamist militia in 1996.

The National Resistance Front (NRF), made up of guerrillas and troops from the ousted Afghan government of Ashraf Ghani who had taken refuge in the Panjshir region until they lost control last September, used the day to call for a fight against the Taliban.

“Inspired by selfless and pious mujahideen, and realizing its responsibility to protect the country’s independence and freedom, the National Resistance Front again emphasizes its resistance against the Taliban mercenary group,” the NRF said in a statement on Thursday. EFE

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