Sami Sadat, leader of the United Front of Afghanistan, says past experience has demonstrated that launching an armed struggle without a clear political and military strategy prevents the establishment of a stable and credible political system.
In an interview with the Long War Journal, Sadat said the United Front reviewed both the failures and successes of previous anti-Taliban movements before beginning military operations and developed a defined strategy for its campaign.
According to Sadat, the movement brought together a number of former Afghan generals and established an international support network before initiating military action.
The United Front announced on 10 Asad that it had launched military operations against the Taliban, describing its first operation in Kandahar Province as part of what it calls the “Mission to Liberate Afghanistan.”
Following the announcement, Sadat released a video in the uniform of the former Afghan National Army, confirming the start of the campaign. He argued that efforts to reach a political settlement with the Taliban through dialogue had failed.
Sadat also accused the Taliban of widespread human rights violations and claimed that the group’s rule has enabled terrorist organizations to re-establish themselves in Afghanistan.
He called on NATO member states to provide logistical and military support to the United Front in its stated campaign against the Taliban, al-Qaeda, Islamic State and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.
According to Sadat, the movement’s ultimate objective is to end Taliban rule, restore constitutional governance and establish a political system that guarantees civil liberties and citizens’ rights under the rule of law.
The Taliban have not publicly responded to Sadat’s latest remarks.
