Usmonzoda: The government of Tajikistan is cooperating with the Taliban

The chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan claims that the government of Emomali Rahmon has established cooperation with the Taliban movement in Afghanistan.

Saydjafer Usmonzoda, a member of the Tajik parliament from the Democratic Party of Tajikistan, stated in an interview with the Afghan television channel Afghanistan International on the topic “Does terrorism threaten Tajikistan?” that “today the government of Tajikistan is cooperating with the Taliban at a certain level.”

The chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan also accused the Taliban of collaborating with the group “Jamaat Ansarullah of Tajikistan.” According to him, three members of this group, whose elimination was previously reported by the Tajik authorities, infiltrated from Afghanistan with the aim of destabilizing the situation in Tajikistan, but were killed as a result of a special operation by security forces.

However, military expert from Kabul Muhammadmatin Muhammadhel rejected these claims by the Tajik authorities, stating that since Saydjafer Usmonzoda claims that border guards and security forces control more than 1300 kilometers of the Tajik-Afghan border, members of the “Jamaat Ansarullah” group could not have entered Tajikistan from Afghanistan. According to him, they could have arrived by plane or helicopter from other locations.

Commenting on the cooperation of the Tajik government with the Taliban movement, Saydjafer Usmonzoda stated that this cooperation aims to form an inclusive government in Afghanistan. “The Taliban must form an inclusive government not for 500, but for 60-70 million people of Afghanistan,” Usmonzoda said. Meanwhile, the population of Afghanistan, according to Wikipedia, was over 33 million in 2021.

The Tajik parliament member, who appeared very confused, reported that the “Jamaat Ansarullah” group has managed to gather about 5,000 militants near the Tajik-Afghan border. This group is controlled by the Taliban. In the near future, the group will be equipped with drones delivered from Pakistan. This poses a serious threat from Afghanistan. According to him, in a year the Taliban will become stronger and “plans to attack Tajikistan.”

During the conversation, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan denied that opposition forces – opponents of the Taliban are conducting any military activities on the territory of Tajikistan. According to him, if Ahmad Masoud, the leader of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, is here in Tajikistan alone, then the next day he is already in Europe. Individuals residing in Tajikistan are engaged in cultural activities.

On one hand, Usmonzoda says, “we feel a threat from Afghanistan,” but on the other hand, he threatens and says: “We warn the Taliban, we give you time, you have time, flee from Afghanistan. In case of your attack, we will destroy you in Afghanistan within a month.”

A Afghan military expert, Muhammadmatin Muhammadkhel, mockingly responded to the statements made by the chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan:

“We expelled your socialist party – the Soviet Union, and your other named brother – America – fled, and what about you… 20 percent of the income (of Emomali Rahmon’s government) comes from drug trafficking, and 30 percent from heroin trade…”

One of the guests, renowned Afghan journalist Muslim Sherzod, stated that currently 5 border districts of Afghanistan in the Badakhshan region are under the control of the group “Jamaat Ansarullah of Tajikistan,” led by Mahdi Arsalon. These claims were questioned during the discussion.

Moreover, if we combine the claims of Afghan expert Muslim Sherzod that Mahdi Arsalon controls 5 border districts in Afghanistan, and the statements of Saidjafar Usmonzoda that there are 5,000 militants in the ranks of the “Jamaat Ansarullah” group, one can conclude that currently “Jamaat Ansarullah” controls 5 border districts with 5,000 militants, which poses a significant threat to the stability and security of Tajikistan.

During the discussion, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan made ambiguous statements, and not only experts but also many social media users commented that he is not sufficiently informed about the realities of Afghanistan.

Saidjafar Usmonzoda, who referred to the fleeing President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani as “accursed,” and the Taliban and other allied groups as “demons,” thus provoking discontent among some across the Amu Darya, made three ambiguous statements and became the subject of ridicule:

1. The population of Afghanistan is 60-70 million people.
2. Tajikistan will destroy the Taliban in Afghanistan within a month.
3. The Afghan army fought against NATO for 20 years.

Many social media users questioned the Tajik authorities’ statement about the elimination of 3 militants from “Jamaat Ansarullah.” They wrote that the report indicates a large amount of weapons and ammunition was found, and not only 3 people could not carry them all, but considering the mountainous terrain, even for 50 people it would be an impossible task.

Users also labeled Saidjafar Usmonzoda as a “pro-government person” and “sycophant #1” of Emomali Rahmon’s government, urging residents not to believe him as he lies and exaggerates, and in the event of a war between Tajikistan and Afghanistan, the chairman of the Democratic Party of Tajikistan would be the first to flee with his wife, children, and sons-in-law, just like Ashraf Ghani, while the children of ordinary citizens would perish in the war.

The Supreme Court of Tajikistan banned the activities of the group “Jamaat Ansarullah” in 2012, classifying it as terrorist and extremist. Any activities of the group are prohibited on the territory of Tajikistan.

In 2022, after power in Afghanistan passed to the Taliban, “Jamaat Ansarullah of Tajikistan” changed its name to “Tehrik Taliban Tajikistan,” which means “Movement of the Taliban of Tajikistan.”

Last month, the group published its detailed program in the form of a book in Persian. The Taliban movement of Tajikistan believes that the current policy of Emomali Rahmon’s government to suppress religion and limit civil liberties provides a “golden opportunity” and a great chance to attract new militants and expand the group’s activities.

Amrullohi Nizom, specially for Azda.tv