The Homeland Army Front, one of the armed groups opposing the Taliban, has released its first official code of conduct, declaring that adherence to the four Geneva Conventions, the principles of international humanitarian law, and Islamic values constitutes a fundamental part of its military operations.
The group published the document on Tuesday, July 28, describing it as the primary framework governing the conduct of its forces on the battlefield. Consisting of three chapters and twenty articles, the code is intended to regulate military behavior, safeguard human dignity, and ensure compliance with both Islamic principles and international legal standards.
Under the code, the Homeland Army Front pledges not to target civilians or the family members of opposing forces, and commits to refraining from hostage-taking, intimidation, or any form of coercion against them. The document also emphasizes the protection of public infrastructure including hospitals, educational institutions, water and electricity networks, and Afghanistan’s cultural heritage during military operations.
Another section of the code states that prisoners of war will be treated in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and Islamic principles. It explicitly prohibits torture, degrading treatment, and all forms of abuse against detainees, while affirming that wounded individuals will receive priority medical care. The group further states that it welcomes monitoring by international organizations and will facilitate access to information about detainees, as well as visits to them.
One article addresses the handling of espionage allegations. Under Article 13, individuals accused of espionage will be prosecuted only after evidence has been presented in an open court proceeding attended by the media. If found guilty, they will face severe penalties, although the code explicitly rules out the death penalty.
The document also establishes disciplinary measures for members who violate its provisions. According to Article 18, any member accused of property seizure, extortion, intimidation, rape, torture, or any other violation of human dignity will be tried before an independent and transparent tribunal and held accountable in accordance with the code.
The Homeland Army Front gained increased attention following its July 17 attack on the district center of Yaftal-e Payin in Badakhshan Province. During the operation, the group temporarily seized control of the Taliban’s district police headquarters and intelligence office for several hours. The incident marked the first reported case of a district center temporarily slipping from Taliban control since the group’s return to power in 2021.
The Homeland Army Front is commanded by Qayum Malang, a former member of Afghanistan’s special forces. Despite the publication of the code of conduct, no independent international organization has yet verified or assessed the group’s claims regarding its implementation of the commitments outlined in the document.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
