Following are excerpts
from several exclusive Al-Jazeera TV reports on the Taliban, which aired
in July and August, 2010:
August 11, 2010:
Dhiya Al-Rahman:
These are your weapons, oh Americans. We will use them to kill you.
We will open fire on your heads. No matter what you do, we will kill
you and whoever helps you.
Reporter: With
these words, Dhiya Al-Rahman stresses the strength of the Taliban fighters,
who were not deterred by the torrential rains from taking their positions
in the mountaintops. These fighters constitute a thorn in the side of
the Afghan army, the US forces, and coalition forces in Afghanistan.
The heavy clouds caressing
the mountaintops prevent US airplanes from reaching these areas. In
addition, they serve as a natural shield for the Taliban fighters, who
have not stopped their activity, and who continue to meet with their
field commanders to get their orders.
[...]
August 12, 2010:
Reporter: Taliban
prepares in a different way for the month of Ramadhan: These people
are planning to step up their armed operations against the Afghan and
international forces in the Kandahar province, where these forces have
been conducting a military operation against Taliban fighters for more
than a month. But the Taliban says that the operation has not achieved
its goals.
Taliban field commander
Mullah Abu 'Atiq: With the grace of Allah, the NATO forces are heading
for defeat. The fate of the NATO forces will be the same as that of
the Soviet forces. This month, there will be a stream of mujahideen
from the Islamic Emirate, ready to sacrifice their lives.
Reporter: Taliban
leaders in Kandahar reject the UN report, which blamed the Taliban for
most of the civilian deaths in Afghanistan. They say that Taliban has
no reason to kill innocent people. They consider the locals to be the
base of their power, as well as their refuge.
Taliban field commander
Mullah Abdallah: It is the invading forces that are killing innocent
people. These forces are anti-Muslim, and they kill them so that they
will not become their enemies in the future. They say no difference
between a fighter or a defenseless child.
Reporter: The
Taliban says that these pieces of scrap metal are the remains of armored
vehicles, which were destroyed in battles here. In addition, the Kandahar-Helmand
route witnesses daily clashes, targeting the Afghan and NATO forces
and their supply convoys.
[...]
Al-Jazeera TV on July
28, 2010:
Reporter: Within
seconds, this vehicle will cease to exist on the face of the Earth,
and its remains will fly into the skies. In a matter of minutes, this
convoy, led by a minesweeper, in Kunar, will be destroyed by a landmine.
These are the trademarks of the Taliban.
In addition, there is
continuous shooting at everything American – from supply convoys
to American bases. Those returning safely from the retaliation of the
US forces are greeted by their comrades, and prepare for the next round,
planned by their field commanders.
Taliban field commander
Muhammad Zahed: The operations conducted by the mujahideen are successful.
We have cut off the roads leading to the American bases. They are trying
to take advantage of [their control of] the air. For a long time, the
US forces here in Kunar have not been able to leave their bases.
[...]
Al-Jazeera TV on August
12, 2010:
Reporter: This
is the fate of a NATO supply convoy in the Helmand desert. The convoy
was on its way to the Musa Qala district, carrying supplies to the Afghan
and international forces stationed there. The convoy suffered a surprise
attack at the hands of the Taliban militants between the Musa Qala and
Gereshk districts, in Helmand, South Afghanistan. The Taliban fighters
destroyed several trucks and tankers. They took control of several vehicles
in this battle, which lasted for a few hours.
Taliban field commander
Maulvi Abd Al-Hakim: There were 70-80 trucks and cars in
the convoy. Only four cars managed to escape. We either destroyed
or took control of the rest of the cars, as you can see.
Reporter:
The warriors' repose will soon be over with information about another
convoy on its way to Musa Qala. These fighters are constantly in a state
of alert. With old weapons and young blood, they continue to fight the
NATO and Afghan forces, as they themselves say. The harvest of months
of fighting between the Taliban and the international forces in the
Musa Qala district alone includes the destruction of 70 NATO vehicles.
Taliban field commander
Mula Haj Ghaleb: The morale of the mujahideen is high, Allah
be praised, as the NATO forces are being defeated. They have given up
most of their bases in Helmand, and soon they will be forced to move
out of the region.
Reporter: There
is no room for comparison between the military equipment of the Taliban
with that of the Afghan and international forces. The Taliban's most
important means of transport is the motorcycle, and their most important
anti-tank weapon is the Russian-made 82 mm rocket. They have no anti-aircraft
weapons. Nevertheless, the Taliban speaks of great victories, not least
of which is the besieging of the Afghan and international forces in
their bases in Musa Qala.
[...]
Al-Jazeera TV on August
20, 2010:
Reporter: For
two days, the gunfire in this region has continued between the Taliban
and the Afghan police and security agencies. The Taliban continues to
thwart government control over the Kajaki Dam in the Sangin district.
The Taliban is not allowing the dam to be rebuilt, and is not letting
anyone come near it. Taliban has its reasons for this – reasons that
are backed by its weapons.
Taliban's Helmand
Province commander Sallah Jan: We have reached the Kajaki Dam. I
am in charge of the Sangin-Kajaki road. During yesterday's clashes,
we inflicted casualties on our enemy, and collected lots of booty.
[...]