Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid looks on as he addresses the first press conference in Kabul on August 17, 2021 following the Taliban stunning takeover of Afghanistan. (HOSHANG HASHIMI/AFP via Getty Images)
After spending the last three and a half months blazing their way across Afghanistan, seizing cities and killing their opponents, the Taliban held a press conference to share their message with the international community. On Tuesday, the terrorist group’s head spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, spoke before a group of reporters gathered in what previously was the briefing room of the Afghanistan government.
Of the various networks that attended the conference, many conveyed the same message. That message was that the Taliban is trying to come off as more moderate and less violent than before.
Mujahid attempted to paint a picture of a simple bureaucratic shift as if the last several weeks of bloodshed was merely a political procedure used in place of democratic elections. “A new government is about to be founded,” said Mujahid. “After completing a series of political procedures, we will hold a meeting with the leaders of various political factions and witness the birth of a political agreement. Then a strong Islamic government acceptable to everyone shall be established.”
“Unfortunately the last government was weak, they didn’t keep their promises”
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tells Kabul residents “their security is ensured” as he addresses Afghans for first time since the group took took control
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— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) August 17, 2021
He went on to claim that things would be different this time around and that the people of Afghanistan had nothing to fear. However, the people of Afghanistan and the rest of the nation have begged to differ.
Mujahid also claimed the treatment of women in the Afghan society would be different, stating they would not be subjected to violence and would be given the opportunity to even participate in the Taliban’s new government. Although, a former family court judge who fled the Taliban, Marzia Babakarkhail, said those are empty promises.
Mujahid also promised amnesty for all Afghan allies who helped U.S. and NATO foces. However, his words are in stark contrast to the message of Afghans who recently managed to escape the county, like Central Bank Gov. Ajmal Ahmady.
When asked about concrete plans for the future, Mujahid had little to offer. The only thing he said was “give us time.”
Source: One America News Network
