Taliban to negotiate with coalition only through “political office”: Mullah Omar

KABUL through its recently-created “political office.”

In a message released late Wednesday on the eve of Eid al-Adha, the reclusive Taliban leader said the Taliban set up the political office in order to “continue our political struggle in addition to our military struggle.”

The Taliban announced earlier this year that they were opening a political office in Qatar in order to facilitate talks over a political settlement to the Afghan conflict. 

Mullah Omar said all talks with the coalition were carried out through the political office and not secretive back channels.

“I must say clearly that we’re not involved in any talks with the foreigners except through the political office,” he said.   “We do not believe in secretive politics nor do we tolerate it.  We create our negotiations policies based on Islamic and national interests and publicly announce them.”

A copy of Mullah Omar’s message was sent to Pajhwok Afghan News by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

The Taliban leader, believed to be hiding in Afghanistan, warned that “insider attacks” targeting Afghan and coalition forces in Afghanistan would increase. 

“Jihadist attacks inside government militias are the most effective against the enemy, and, God willing, they will now expand and become more organized and effective,” Mullah Omar said. “

Insider attacks, blamed on Taliban infiltrators and disaffected Afghan soldiers, have resulted in the deaths of more than 50 foreign troops this year.

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