Gen Sadat’s anti-Taliban front claimed it had opened a new battlefield in Kandahar, targeting militant groups including the Taliban, al-Qaeda, Islamic State and TTP
News Desk
KABUL: General Sami Sadat, the leader of the United Front of Afghanistan, announced the launch of an armed campaign against the Taliban, calling for political support from the United States, NATO and other international partners.
In a video message released on Monday, Gen Sadat said his organization had started military operations against Taliban forces in Kandahar. He claimed that fighters associated with the group were engaged in battles not only with the Taliban but also with al-Qaeda, Islamic State and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The announcement marked a significant escalation in opposition to the Taliban government, which returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021 after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces. The United Front of Afghanistan is linked to elements of the former Northern Alliance, which had fought against the Taliban before the group’s takeover of Kabul.
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Gen Sadat said his organization’s objective was to end Taliban rule and establish what he described as a more secure and representative future for Afghanistan. He urged the international community to support what he called “the right side of history”, arguing that his movement was fighting for the Afghan people.
Addressing Afghanistan’s neighboring countries, Gen Sadat said his group did not intend to create instability across the region. He said the organization wanted peaceful relations and future cooperation with neighboring states. He claimed that the Taliban, rather than his group, represented the main security challenge facing the region.
The former Afghan army commander also said his forces would follow international law during their operations. He added that the group would not seek approval from any foreign government before conducting military actions.
The Taliban has not immediately issued a detailed response to Gen Sadat’s announcement. However, the group has previously rejected armed opposition movements and maintained that Afghanistan’s security situation has improved since it took control of the country.
The announcement came amid continued international debate over Afghanistan’s political future, security concerns and the presence of militant groups operating inside the country. While the Taliban government has repeatedly claimed to have strengthened security, critics have continued to raise concerns about militant activity, governance challenges and restrictions on political opposition.
