Wahid Omar, former spokesperson and senior adviser to the President of Afghanistan, criticized the performance of the major political and military structures opposing the Taliban in remarks that appear to have been made in response to the recent events in Yaftal-e Payin District of Badakhshan Province. He argued that prominent organizations, alliances, leadership councils, and large-scale political structures have so far failed to produce meaningful results.
His comments appeared to be directed at the organizational structures of the Taliban’s political and military opposition. Without explicitly naming the armed group Sepahiyan-e Mihan (Homeland Soldiers), Omar suggested that carrying out an effective operation required only “a few skilled young marksmen.”
Omar published these remarks on his Facebook page but deleted the post several hours later without providing any explanation. The removal of the statement also drew attention and prompted discussion on social media.
In the now-deleted post, he wrote: “Large structures, alliances, leadership councils, political movements, the chairman of the leadership council, the head of the military committee, the chief of the political office, the chief of the leader’s office, the head of the travel office, the spokesperson for the leadership, the head of foreign relations, and all the other titles have been futile. An effective operation required only a few skilled young marksmen.”
Meanwhile, reactions continue to emerge following the attack carried out on Saturday by the newly established armed group Sepahiyan-e Mihan in Yaftal-e Payin District. Several political figures have expressed support for the group’s actions, while others have condemned the Taliban’s reported detention of civilians in the aftermath of the incident.
Among those responding, Nasir Ahmad Andisha, Afghanistan’s representative in Geneva, wrote in a post on X on Friday, 17 July, that “the voice of resistance and steadfastness is being heard from the heart of the Hindu Kush,” adding that these developments demonstrate that oppression in Afghanistan will not endure indefinitely.
He described the people of Yaftal as “the guardians of Afghanistan’s freedom” and added: “Today’s cry is the cry of breaking the silence in the face of oppression.” He further stated that history would record these sacrifices and that future generations would judge the actions of individuals and political movements.
Earlier, Fawzia Koofi, a former member of Afghanistan’s House of Representatives, and Zahir Aghbar, Afghanistan’s ambassador to Tajikistan, had also commented on the developments in Yaftal-e Payin District.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
