Latest News
Anas Haqqani to Prince Harry: ‘History will remember your atrocities’
Anas Haqqani, a senior member of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), condemning UK Prince Harry’s statement on killing people during his mission in Afghanistan, said that those who were killed were not “chess pieces” but they were humans.
In his memoir, Spare, the Duke of Sussex has said that he killed 25 people during his second tour in Afghanistan and that he didn’t see them as human beings but as “chess pieces,” according to British media reports.
In a series of tweets on Friday, Haqqani said that those killed had families who were waiting for their return.
He called Prince Harry killer of Afghans.
“Among the killers of Afghans, not many have your decency to reveal their conscience and confess to their war crimes,” Haqqani said.
In his autobiography, Harry also said that his six missions as an Apache helicopter pilot resulted in the “taking of human lives,” which he said he is neither proud nor ashamed of.
He also stated that he didn’t think of those he killed while fighting the IEA as “people.”
Haqqani told Harry: “The truth is what you’ve said; Our innocent people were chess pieces to your soldiers, military and political leaders. Still, you were defeated in that ‘game’ of white & black ‘square’”.
Harry has never before disclosed the number of people he killed in combat.
Haqqani, while criticizing the International Criminal Court (ICC) and human rights activists, called them “deaf and blind.”
“I don't expect that the ICC will summon you or the human rights activists will condemn you, because they are deaf and blind for you. But hopefully these atrocities will be remembered in the history of humanity,” Haqqani said.
The US-led foreign forces withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021 after 20 years of military occupation that left tens of thousands of people dead, mostly civilians.
In the already controversial book to be published on January 10, Harry talked for the first time about the number of IEA fighters he killed during his service.
The much-anticipated book was due for publication on January 10 but was released early – in Spain on Thursday.
A British Army Major has meanwhile said that Prince Harry has put the security of the Royal Family at risk with his boast about killing 25 people in Afghanistan.
Chris Hunter said: "The first thing that springs to mind was just how poorly judged his comments were and how embarrassing really. It was very much a betrayal as well. All of us in the army swear an oath of allegiance to the monarch, to her heirs and successors. Not only has he betrayed that oath as an army officer but it is actually his own family as well, and to do so for money, it is just truly sad. Very disappointing."
Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman of IEA, also condemned Harry’s remarks.
Karimi said on Twitter: “Unfortunately, the Western world, which claims to be defenders of human rights, has in practice got such an attitude at a high level. Afghans as independent and Muslim people will never forget the atrocities of the occupiers.”
Many social media users and IEA members have started a campaign with the hashtag "#HarryWarCriminal” in reaction to his autobiography where he speaks about killing of 25 IEA forces in Afghanistan and that he didn’t see them as human beings but as “chess pieces”.
Meanwhile, Harry’s remarks were widely condemned on social media.
Mick Wallace, member of the European Parliament said: “Given that the #US #NATO War on #Afghanistan was totally illegal and destroyed the lives of millions of innocent people, how come there's no call from Mainstream Media + Politicians to have this despicable individual Prince Harry tried for War Crimes...?”
Nile Gardiner, Foreign policy analyst. Former aide to Margaret Thatcher, said: “Prince Harry has destroyed himself, his reputation and any remaining goodwill that existed before the publication of his book. He has become a pariah to the British people, and will likely end up in exile with the massively destructive Meghan Markle in their California mansion.”
Marc Owen Jones, Associate Professor at Hamad Bin Khalifa University said: “How can anyone be so callous? “My number is 25. It’s not a number that fills me with satisfaction, but nor does it embarrass me,” he wrote'”
Latest News
Bennett reiterates call for Afghan migrants in Pakistan to be ‘protected’
Richard Bennet also called on UN member countries to increase financial assistance and other aid to help support migrants
Richard Bennett, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights for Afghanistan, has emphasized the need to protect Afghan migrants in Pakistan and urged governments to treat them more humanely.
Responding to reports of an uptick in forced deportations of Afghan migrants in Pakistan, he reiterated his call for Afghan refugees not to return to the country and emphasized the need for host countries to support them.
He also called on UN member countries to increase financial assistance and other aid to help support migrants.
This comes amid reports of Pakistan’s ongoing campaign to forcibly deport Afghan migrants in the country.
This week the Afghanistan embassy expressed “deep concern over the recent detention of approximately 800 Afghan nationals in Islamabad, including individuals holding valid visas, PoR, and ACC cards”.
The embassy stated that the lack of clarity surrounding NOC (No Objection Certificate) requirements/issuance process has led to troubling cases of arbitrary detention and deportation.
“Among those deported are 137 Afghan nationals whose visas had expired but who had already applied for extensions, as well as holders of temporary SHARP/UNHCR registration,” the embassy said.
Latest News
Trump claims Russia invaded Ukraine due to U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan
Trump claimed that he was in power during a time when “we had no wars,” but now he is “going into a world that’s burning.”
US President-elect Donald Trump believes the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan was "badly handled" and that seeing this, Russia decided to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Trump claimed that he was in power during a time when "we had no wars," but now he is "going into a world that's burning."
The US President-elect criticized how the American withdrawal from Afghanistan was carried out. According to Trump, he would have withdrawn the troops from Afghanistan earlier than President Joe Biden and done so "with dignity and strength."
"The way they got out was outrageous. Leaving billions of dollars of brand new military equipment that I bought in the hands of the Afghans. And specifically to the Taliban (Islamic Emirate)," Trump added.
He emphasized that the US withdrawal from Afghanistan was "badly handled."
"And because of that, I think Russia went and attacked Ukraine when they saw that. They said, 'these guys are incompetent - they don't know what they're doing'. But we know what we're doing now," Trump added.
In April 2021, it was announced that the United States had begun withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan, where they had been stationed since 2001. All American soldiers were fully withdrawn from the country by August 31, 2021.
US forces were initially deployed to Afghanistan to combat terrorism following the September 11 attacks.
Latest News
US congressman urges Trump to stop aid to Afghanistan
Congressman Tim Burchett has urged President-elect Donald Trump to halt financial aid to Afghanistan.
Burchett said in a letter that the US government should not fund its enemies abroad.
"I want to express my serious concern about sending foreign aid to the Taliban (Islamic Emirate) and my willingness to work with the Trump administration to prevent the transfer of US taxpayer dollars. The United States should not provide financial assistance to its enemies abroad,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy has expressed hope that international aid should not be stopped and that efforts are ongoing to strengthen Afghanistan's infrastructure and move the country towards self-sufficiency.
Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy, said: "We hope that international aid to the people of Afghanistan will not be halted. However, at the same time, our focus is on national capacities. We want to strengthen Afghanistan's infrastructure so that the country gradually moves towards self-sufficiency."
Experts, however, do not view international aid as a fundamental solution for Afghanistan's economy but stated that given the country's humanitarian and economic situation, the continuation of such aid remains essential.
Abdul Zuhoor Madaber, an economic expert, said: "Humanitarian aid is not a fundamental solution to the country's economy, but given the economic crisis we are facing, it can be impactful."
The US has provided over $2 billion in aid-to-aid organizations in Afghanistan over the past three years.
The US State Department has stated that this aid is solely for relief and charitable programs, intended to support ordinary Afghan people struggling with poverty, hunger, and food shortages.
-
Tahawol4 days ago
Tahawol: Afghanistan in the US spotlight discussed
-
Latest News5 days ago
Azizi expresses concern, says Afghans invested billions in neighboring countries
-
Interviews4 days ago
Debate with acting Minister of Industry and Commerce
-
Latest News5 days ago
Pakistan says it respects Afghanistan’s sovereignty
-
World5 days ago
South Korean presidential guards prevent arrest of impeached Yoon after tense stand-off
-
Saar4 days ago
Saar: Pakistani officials’ remarks against Afghanistan discussed
-
Regional4 days ago
Syria to include all sectors in new government, foreign minister says
-
Latest News4 days ago
Iran urges Afghanistan to remove obstacles to water flow