Taliban claims ‘inclusive’ future govt. & touts popular support

August 16, 2021 Amber Coakley US 0

A Taliban fighter sits on the back of a vehicle with a machine gun in front of the main gate leading to the Afghan presidential palace, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. The U.S. military has taken over Afghanistan’s airspace as it struggles to manage a chaotic evacuation after the Taliban rolled into the capital. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 9:19 AM PT – Monday, August 16, 2021

The Taliban claims it wants to form a “reconciliation” government following its takeover of Afghanistan. In a statement Sunday, the group said a future Afghan government must be “inclusive” by representing all political viewpoints.

The terrorist group said although the future government will be based off the principles of “political Islam,” it will not discriminate against any parts of the Afghan society. U.S. security officials warned the Taliban can not be trusted, but the Islamist group insists it’s holding talks with other political forces in the Middle Eastern country.

“I think an Afghan inclusive government, this is the demand, the will and the want of the people of Afghanistan,” stated Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen. “They want this government and you may have seen that whenever we entered a provincial city people thronged along the roads and queued up along the roads and they were welcoming our forces. So it is a popular uprising.”

The Taliban seized control of most of Kabul on Sunday and is now expected to rename the country as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

We assure all diplomats, embassies, consulates, and charitable workers, whether they are international or national that not only no problem will be created for them on the part of IEA but a secure environment will be provided to them, Inshallah.

— Suhail Shaheen. محمد سهیل شاهین (@suhailshaheen1) August 16, 2021

Meanwhile, the Taliban made its first statement on future foreign relations of their new so-called government. The terrorist group claimed Sunday that it’s not seeking confrontation with its neighbors or major powers. The Taliban also urged the international community to recognize the legitimacy of its future government.

This came after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he opposes a diplomatic recognition of the Taliban regime. However, the group claims to be representing the majority of Afghans.

“Before we didn’t have as much responsibility as we do today because now we are all tested by God,” stated senior Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. “Day by day, we will get involved in the service of our nation in providing them with security and hope for their future.”