Posted on 07/25/2005 2:43:17 PM PDT by WmShirerAdmirer
Kandahar, 25 July (AKI) - An audio message released on Monday, said to be from the fugitive Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, has called on his supporters to unite in the fight against Afghan and foreign troops.
The audio casette, whose authenticity has still to be verified, was distributed to several international news agencies by an unknown person in Kandahar. "Unite, put aside your differences, continue the jihad (holy war) against the invaders and you will be victorious" said the voice, purportedly that of the Talliban leader.
If it proves authentic, the message would be the first of its kind from the hardline Islamist leader since the Taliban were toppled in 2001, after the September 11 attacks on the US.
The audio message said the Taliban had formed two military councils to coordinate attacks around Afghanistan and its governing council had been boosted from 10 to 18 members. The recording also calls on Taliban fighters not to harass civilians.
There has been an intensification of clashes in Afghanistan in recent weeks amid fears that Taliban supporters are changing strategy and regouping with the intention of disrupting September's parliamentary
I'm keeping my eye out for Mullah Omar!
We need to keep an eye out for this fella
man, you're quick...enough said.
How are things in your cave, Omar? Somewhere, there's a Hellfire missile with your name on it.
Wow, talk about calling out the AA farm team!
Thanks for the ping. I wish they kill this one-eyed hump already!
Liberals use the same slogans over and over again, thinking, maybe this time it'll work....
Omar tells Taliban to unite, continue insurgency
25. July 2005, 16:24
By Mirwais Afghan
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Fugitive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar has called on supporters to put aside differences and continue their war against the government and foreign forces in Afghanistan, the Taliban said on Monday.
Omar made the call recently in a message via field radio to the Taliban's leadership council, which has been expanded to 18 members, Taliban spokesman Abdul Latif Hakimi said.
A recording of the message purporting to come from Omar was handed over to Reuters in the southern city of Kandahar on Monday by a man who did not identify himself.
In it Omar said: "Unite, and do not disagree, continue your jihad (holy war) and victory will be yours."
Hakimi, who spoke himself from an undisclosed location, did not say where the message was recorded.
He said the leadership council, which previously numbered ten men, now had eight new members, based on a decision by Omar.
Neither he nor the message named the new members.
In the message, Omar told Taliban guerrillas not to harass people while waging war against President Hamid Karzai's government and U.S.-led foreign forces.
"Carry out your works quietly," he said.
Omar did not elaborate on the disagreements he referred to in the call for unity, or the reference to harassing people.
Omar's whereabouts have remained unknown since U.S.-led forces overthrew the Taliban in late 2001 for refusing to hand over Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda leaders responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks on U.S. cities.
However, some Afghan officials have said they believe the one-eyed Omar is hiding somewhere in neighbouring Pakistan. Bin Laden also remains at large.
WORSENING VIOLENCE
The message is one of only a few from Omar issued to the media. In a written message in March, he dismissed U.S. military claims that he was no longer in control of the insurgency and vowed to step up attacks attacks on Afghan and U.S. forces.
The period since leading up to Sept. 18 parliamentary elections has seen the worst militant violence since U.S.-led forces overthrew the Taliban in late 2001.
Hundreds of people have died, many of them guerrillas, but also many local government officials, police officers and Afghan and foreign troops.
The dead have included 36 U.S. soldiers killed in action, making it the bloodiest period for U.S. forces in Afghanistan.
Most of the violence has been in areas near the border with Pakistan and Afghan officials have repeatedly complained that Taliban attacks are mostly organised in Pakistan.
Pakistan was the Taliban's main supporter until Sept. 11, but became a major U.S. ally in its war on terror.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited Kabul on Sunday and pledged that Islamabad would do all it could to stop infiltration of militants ahead of the elections.
While Pakistan has arrested hundreds of al Qaeda militants since 2001, it has detained relatively few Taliban fighters, even though many are thought to have found refuge there.
Last week, however, Pakistani police said security forces arrested a handful of Taliban officials from a refugee camp northwest of Islamabad.
Pakistani newspapers quoted unnamed sources as saying that Mawlavi Abdul Kabir -- a deputy of Omar -- was among them, but senior Pakistani officials were unable to confirm this.
http://www.afghannews.net/index.php?action=show&type=news&id=3027
Hey Mullah Omar ... pull my finger ... PPFFFUUUURRRRRRTTTT! Now, ... what were you saying?
Ping
Thanks for the article. Was surprised that I heard "nothing" from MSM or even from Fox News (neither last night or this morning) on this message.
Another thought, the man who had delivered the recording, would Reuters even notify the Brits about this guy?
If memory serves me well Reuters is owned by the Saudis so it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't notify the Brits. The Saudis attempt to put on a show at being the west's friend but they are anything but (IMO).
LMAO! I'm a sucker for fart jokes.
Me too. Give me potty humor or give me death.
Didn't know that about the Saudis and Reuters, thanks.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.