Ahmad Massoud, leader of Afghanistan’s National Resistance Front, warned at an annual forum in France that Afghanistan has once again become a global center for militant training under the Taliban, reported Afintl.af.
He spoke on Saturday in Saint-Raphaël at the “Meetings for the Future” conference, addressing challenges to democracy and the situation in Afghanistan. Massoud emphasized that his movement did not pursue armed resistance as an objective but resorted to it only after the Taliban rejected dialogue. He described resistance as a means to achieve political settlement, protect Afghans’ right to choose their government, and ensure women and girls have access to education and equal opportunities.
Massoud noted that, despite shifts in international dynamics since the era of his father, Ahmad Shah Massoud, the Taliban’s behavior remains unchanged. The group continues to carry out repressive actions similar to those of its previous regime, while global fatigue and concurrent crises have diminished international attention to Afghanistan.
He urged the international community to prioritize Afghanistan, maintain sanctions against Taliban leaders, and refrain from official recognition of the group—steps he says could significantly improve the lives of millions of Afghans. Massoud stressed that shared values such as democracy, women’s rights, and freedom of expression are being systematically eroded by the Taliban.
The resistance leader also commented on recent clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan, noting that the tensions reflect longstanding structural issues. He added that the Taliban acts independently and maintains ties with Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, which pursues territorial claims within Pakistan.
Massoud concluded that Western governments previously assumed the Taliban had changed, but the group’s recent actions clearly disprove that notion.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
November 10, 2025