Taliban Commander Details Jihadist Activities in Afghanistan's Northern Province

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In a recent interview published by the official Taliban website, Qari Muhammad Isma'il al-Sirajji, the Taliban chief commander for the northern Afghan province of Jowzjan, revealed details about the Taliban's influence in five of the province's eight districts.

Qari Muhammad Isma'il al-Sirajji, 45, has been leading the Taliban mujahedeen in Jowzjan in recent years. He is a local Afghan, born in the province's Aqcha district, and a member of the Turkoman tribe. He served in many official positions when the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (now the Taliban's shadow government) was in power in Afghanistan in the 1990s.

He was interviewed by Al-Somood, an Arabic-language magazine connected to the Taliban and other jihadist groups. The interview was published on one of the official websites of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Following are some excerpts from the interview:

"The Jihadist Capabilities Now Extend to Five Districts Almost Entirely, With the Exception of Their District Centers: Darzab, Qush Tepah, Khawajah Du Koh, Aqcha"

Question: "You mentioned that this province has eight districts. Do you have units in all districts of the province?"

Qari Muhammad Isma'il: "Our formations have not expanded to all districts of the province, but they have covered most of its areas... The jihadist capabilities now extend to five districts almost entirely with the exception of their district centers: Darzab, Qush Tepah, Khawajah Du Koh, Aqcha.

"As for the other three districts, the mujahedeen there conduct a type of guerrilla warfare there and have great influence in the region and enjoy popular support. For example, the districts situated 25 kilometres south of the provincial center of Shebergan, like Jarqadaq and from Qush Tepah to Darzab; all of them fall under the control of the Mujahedeen.

"It is not possible for the enemy to enter these areas unless accompanied by a large escort of tanks and air support. These areas are considered as permanently secure areas for the mujahedeen and the enemy has not been able to take control of them despite repeated operations."

Question: "The local press recently reported on talk of the governmental attempts to retake this area. The lackey government has acknowledged mujahedeen control over this area. What were the results of those operations?"

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