New Taliban leader tells US to end Afghan 'occupation' in first message
Akhundzada made a speech on the eve of Eidul Fitr
Taliban new leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada is seen in an undated photograph, posted on a Taliban twitter feed on May 25, 2016, and identified separately by several Taliban officials, who declined be named. PHOTO: SOCIAL MEDIA VIA REUTERS
New Taliban leader Maulawi Haibatullah Akhundzada on Saturday called on the US to end its "occupation" of Afghanistan in his first message since been appointed the militant group's supreme leader in May.
Video message: Al Qaeda chief backs new Taliban head as ‘emir of believers’
"Admit the realities instead of useless use of force and muscle show and put an end to the occupation," Akhundzada said in a speech on the eve of Eid ul Fitr, the Muslim festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramazan.
"Our message to the American invaders and her allies is this: the Afghan Muslim people neither fear from your force nor your stratagem. They consider martyrdom in confrontation with you as a cherished goal of their life," Akhundzada said.
"You will not be able to frustrate the determination and our Jihadic struggle, by your resorting to extending the time of presence of your soldiers or of increasing military rule of engagement in Afghanistan," Akhundzada said.
"You are facing up not a group or faction but a nation. You are not going to be a winner," Akhundzada added.
Dichotomy: Rift with Kabul linked to ‘dual policy’, says Babar
The message is the first by Akhundzada since his predecessor Akhtar Mansour was killed during a US drone strike in neighbouring Pakistan in May.
The leader's statement comes two days after twin Taliban bomb blasts killed at least 32 Afghan policemen and wounded 78 others on the edge of Kabul.
"Our message to the supporters of the invaders is that it might have been dawned on you during the past 15 years that you are being used for realisation of American goals," Akhundzada said, adding that "your support and siding with invaders is like the work of those abhorrent faces who in our past history supported the Britons and the Soviets," he added.
Video message: Al Qaeda chief backs new Taliban head as ‘emir of believers’
"Admit the realities instead of useless use of force and muscle show and put an end to the occupation," Akhundzada said in a speech on the eve of Eid ul Fitr, the Muslim festival marking the end of the fasting month of Ramazan.
"Our message to the American invaders and her allies is this: the Afghan Muslim people neither fear from your force nor your stratagem. They consider martyrdom in confrontation with you as a cherished goal of their life," Akhundzada said.
"You will not be able to frustrate the determination and our Jihadic struggle, by your resorting to extending the time of presence of your soldiers or of increasing military rule of engagement in Afghanistan," Akhundzada said.
"You are facing up not a group or faction but a nation. You are not going to be a winner," Akhundzada added.
Dichotomy: Rift with Kabul linked to ‘dual policy’, says Babar
The message is the first by Akhundzada since his predecessor Akhtar Mansour was killed during a US drone strike in neighbouring Pakistan in May.
The leader's statement comes two days after twin Taliban bomb blasts killed at least 32 Afghan policemen and wounded 78 others on the edge of Kabul.
"Our message to the supporters of the invaders is that it might have been dawned on you during the past 15 years that you are being used for realisation of American goals," Akhundzada said, adding that "your support and siding with invaders is like the work of those abhorrent faces who in our past history supported the Britons and the Soviets," he added.