Mohaqiq: ‘We Are Approaching the Battlefield; Taliban Should Be Ready’

Mohammad Mohaqiq, leader of the Hezb-e Wahdat-e Islami Mardom Afghanistan, says the Taliban have recently been paying increased attention to him. In a message, Mohaqiq said: “Out of necessity, and with the help of God and our dear nation, we are approaching the battlefield. They should be ready.” He added that Taliban members have spread “false propaganda” against him on Facebook, attributing statements to him that he says are incorrect and reflect their fear. The former Afghan official had previously said that international pressure has led political leaders in the country to avoid military confrontation. He also emphasized that over the past four years he has continued what he described as a “political and propaganda struggle” against the Taliban and believes that they “will not remain in power.”