Taliban Defense Ministry announces recruitment of their “destitute” members

KABUL: The Taliban’s Ministry of National Defense has announced the recruitment of individuals referred to as “destitute” members into its military ranks. In a statement, the ministry noted that this recruitment process is being conducted under the “special directive” of Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the Taliban’s Defense Minister. According to the statement, these individuals must have been approved in the “second phase review” by the group’s Security and Purification Commission. The Ministry of Defense has called on eligible individuals to register at the recruitment centers of the ministry in the capital and provinces across the country. Since regaining control of Afghanistan, the Taliban has integrated a significant number of its former fighters into the army and police. However, the commission subsequently dismissed some former Taliban members from the security forces following a review. It appears that after further assessments, some of the previously dismissed or “destitute” members have now been approved by the Taliban’s security and purification commission for inclusion in the group’s military forces.