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Taliban Fighters Pen Memoirs of War Years

Members of the Taliban, having regained control over Afghanistan in recent years, are taking advantage of the newfound peace to pen memoirs about their experiences in the war. This initiative serves as a means to share their perspective on two decades of conflict with Western forces, who they accuse of misrepresenting "the truth."

Khalid Zadran, a member of the Haqqani Network, which has been implicated in numerous deadly attacks, and now a spokesperson for Kabul's police, stated to 'Agence France-Presse': "No matter how much foreigners wrote about us, they largely ignored the reality of our experiences and the reasons that drove us to fight."

In his comprehensive 600-page book, published in Pashto in April, Zadran recounts the initial U.S. incursions into Khost, his hometown in southern Kabul, detailing a childhood filled with tales of "atrocities." He describes his desire to join the Taliban in the name of his country's "freedom."

His book, titled "15 Minutes," inspired by surviving a U.S. drone strike by a quarter-hour margin, carries narratives of daily horror and dismembered bodies strewn along roadsides.

Deputy Minister of Information and Culture, Mahajer Farahi, stresses, "We must acknowledge the facts: Contrary to their claims, America committed barbaric and brutal acts, devastated our country with bombs, destroyed infrastructure, and sowed discord among nations."

In his book "Memories of the Jihad... 20 Years Under Occupation," Farahi asserts that the Taliban attempted to negotiate with the United States regarding Osama bin Laden, whom Washington sought after the September 11 attacks, though these attempts reportedly failed.

Farahi also claims that "Americans had pre-planned the occupation of Afghanistan," and he remains skeptical of the "war on terror."

The 20-year war saw Taliban forces battle a 38-nation NATO coalition led by the United States, in an effort to support the Afghan republic. Tens of thousands of Afghans perished, along with nearly 6,000 foreign soldiers, including 2,400 Americans.

Farahi believes the war stemmed from Western desires to "impose their culture and ideologies on other countries."

His book, available in at least five languages, blends field memories with sections attacking what he deems a "bloodthirsty American dragon." He conveys to 'Agence France-Presse' that the book "reveals untold truths" left in obscurity by media, particularly Western outlets.

According to him, the "Taliban supporters, though significantly less equipped, won through unity and divine support."

A New Front

The Taliban has published other writings praising its military exploits and what it regards as the "Islamic Emirate's" achievements, in line with current narratives in Afghanistan. However, few have taken the form of autobiographies that attract an audience interested in an "insider's" view of the war, as Zadran notes.

His book sold out quickly, with 2,000 copies distributed and an additional 1,000 in preparation, alongside a Dari-language version.

Some chapters delve into the story of American soldier Bowe Bergdahl, held hostage for five years, narrating arduous journeys across the Afghan-Pakistani border mountains in search of new refuge and attempts to convert him to Islam, all while he longed for his beloved in the United States.

Nonetheless, limited attention is given to the civilians killed by attacks, especially those inciting widespread terror throughout the country.

Farahi underscored the Taliban's "commitment to preserving civilian and innocent lives," criticizing compatriots who collaborated with the Western-aligned police, tainting national honor.

Both narratives conclude in 2021, thus overlooking the transition of fighters from remote mountains to carpeted offices.

Since then, the movement has shifted focus to diplomatic efforts, as it struggles for international recognition for its government amid continuing global critiques of "gender apartheid."

Farahi concludes, "The war is now over, and we wish for good relations with everyone," even with the "bloodthirsty dragon."