Taliban Pushes to Establish 'Regular Army' Including Former Afghan Government Forces

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] The Taliban, which has taken control of the Afghan regime, is pushing to establish a 'regular army' that includes even the former Afghan government forces.

According to Tolo News and others on the 16th, Taliban military commander Qari Fasihuddin said in an interview the day before, "There must be a strong regular army that can easily defend and protect the country," adding, "Soldiers from the previous government will also be recruited for the new army."

He continued, "The Taliban will confront all internal and external threats," and "Trained, professional personnel must join the new army. I hope the regular army will be established in the near future."

These remarks by the Taliban military commander came amid ongoing concerns about political instability following the Taliban's return to power. In particular, there have been criticisms that the Taliban's force of only 100,000 personnel is insufficient to govern all of Afghanistan.

Experts said, "Even though the Taliban quickly occupied the entire country, governing major cities is another challenge. A considerable number of personnel is needed."

They worry that if a proper security system is not established within Afghanistan, chaos could erupt in various parts of the country.

Fasihuddin's statement about establishing a regular army is also interpreted as a warning message to resistance forces such as the Panjshir resistance group, the Afghan National Resistance Front (NRF).

Acting President Saleh and Ahmad Massoud, son of the late Ahmad Shah Massoud, known as the 'Father of the Nation' of Afghanistan, organized the NRF in Panjshir and opposed the Taliban.

On the 6th of this month, the Taliban captured Bazarak, the capital of Panjshir province, and declared an 'end to the war in Afghanistan,' but the resistance forces have shifted to guerrilla warfare by utilizing the valley's geographical features.

Commander Fasihuddin emphasized, "We will suppress resistance forces that have enjoyed benefits during the past 20 years when the Taliban lost power," adding, "Those who defended Afghanistan's democracy or opposed the Taliban are the same."

Meanwhile, former Afghan government soldiers said they have not yet received offers to join the regular army from the Taliban.

Former officer Shakoorullah Sultani said, "The Taliban must decide the fate of 300,000 (former) soldiers," adding, "Nothing is possible without utilizing former soldiers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.