Rebel groups in Afghanistan: A run-through

Create: 11/04/2017 - 13:49
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KABUL (Pajhwok): The United States has said at least 21 terrorist groups have been active on both sides of the Durand Line, but some believe less than 20 terrorist outfits are operating in Afghanistan.

US and NATO forces commander in Afghanistan Gen. Nicholson on February 9th this year told the Senate Armed Services Committee that 20 globally designated terrorist organizations were located in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.

Suicide Front of Afghanistan Islamic Movement

Create: 08/15/2015 - 09:29
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KABUL (Pajhwok): The Afghanistan Islamic Movement’s Suicide Front, calling itself heir to Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar, is a remnant of the faction led by dreaded commander Mullah Dadullah Mansoor Akhund.
Mullah Dadullah, who belonged to the Kakar tribe of Uruzgan province, lived in Kandahar -- the Taliban movement’s birthplace. A powerful insurgent commander born in 1966, he led 6,000 fighters, says a former official, who does not want to be named.

Dreaded terrorist network called Al-Qaeda

Create: 05/27/2015 - 09:53
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KABUL (Pajhwok): Al-Qaeda -- an Arabic word meaning the base or foundation -- is a global insurgent organisation founded by Osama bin Laden, Abdullah Azzamand several other leaders in late 1988. Its origins are traced to the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan.
Composed of a multinational, stateless armyand extremist Salafi jihadist groups, the network identifies its core objectives as combating outside interference in the Muslim world and promoting Islam across the globe.

Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan

Create: 05/24/2015 - 09:16
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Kabul ( Pajhwok):The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) is an insurgent organisation that was founded in 1998 after an end to the civil war in Tajikistan. Tahir Yuldash and former Soviet paratrooper Juma Namangani, both ethnic Uzbeks belonging to Fergana Valley, set up the dreaded group.

Haqqani network

Create: 05/23/2015 - 14:45
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Kabul (Pajhwok): Active in areas along the Durand Line, the Haqqani network is a mighty insurgent group employing asymmetric warfare against US and NATO forces, as well as the government of Afghanistan. Having close ideological links with the Taliban, the group is headed by Maulvi Jalaluddin Haqqani -- a noted jihadi leader -- and his son Sirajuddin Haqqani.

Introduction to armed groups: The Talban movement

Create: 05/23/2015 - 09:32
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Kabul (Pajhwok) a politico-militant movement, the Taliban have been a formidable fighting force in Afghanistan and a major threat to its government. Calling themselves the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the seminary students came to prominence in the autumn of 1994.
The Islamic political movement spread throughout Afghanistan and formed a government in September 1996, with Kandahar its capital and spiritual base. Their government that lasted until December 2001 gained diplomatic recognition from only Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Hekmatyar-led HIA one of key armed groups

Create: 05/21/2015 - 10:43
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KABUL (Pajhwok): The Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan (HIA) is a key politico-militant group, whose leader and members claim the entity was founded under the leadership of Gulbadin Hekmatyar in 1977 (1348) during King Zahir Shah’s rule.
Since its creation, HIA has opposed all governments formed in Afghanistan. It has been averse to the governments of Sardar Mohammad Daud Khan, the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), Burhanuddin Rabbani, the Taliban and Hamid Karzai.