Author: Khalil Tasal
Afghanistan’s history is marked by unforgettable days—some dark, others bright. However, the 10th of Hoot stands as a golden milestone, a day deserving of remembrance and celebration, marking the moment Afghanistan reclaimed its freedom from modern occupation.
Looking back at history, Afghans have always triumphed over challenges in their struggle for freedom. However, on the political and diplomatic front, they have often lost ground and fallen into external traps. This time, however, marks perhaps the first instance where Afghans have achieved victory on both the battlefield and the diplomatic stage.
On the battlefield of jihad and resistance, NATO and U.S. forces were brought to their knees. Simultaneously, on the global stage, the delegation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), with unwavering unity, determination, and courage, successfully engaged in dialogue and negotiations with the key architects of the occupation—the U.S. leadership. This diplomatic triumph culminated in the signing of the Doha Agreement on the 10th of Hoot, five years ago, in Qatar’s capital, Doha, marking a historic turning point for Afghanistan.
In reality, the United States conceded to the legitimate demands and struggle of the Afghan people, further sidelining the ruling regime in Kabul. This regime primarily benefited figures loyal to the Northern Alliance and Jamiat group, as well as so-called democrats, while the notoriety was falsely attributed to the so-called Pashtun leaders.
The Doha Agreement, signed between Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, head of the IEA’s negotiating team, and Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan, was, in essence, the strength of the blood of thousands of martyrs and the cries of widows. It granted Afghans the honor of toppling another empire in the 21st century. Those who had occupied this land for their nefarious purposes and atrocities began the process of withdrawal and decline from this pure soil.
This national struggle, along with the steadfast stance of the IEA and the commemoration of this historic day, highlights several key points that must forever remain etched in history’s memory.
1. Effective Diplomacy
In the modern era, diplomacy is the universal language of international relations. Nations and organizations resolve their disputes, express their aspirations, and pursue their interests at the negotiation table, widely regarded as the primary means of maintaining global order and addressing challenges.
Unfortunately, it was once said that Afghans did not understand this global language. However, alongside the Islamic Emirate’s armed struggle, this language gradually gained prominence in foreign policy after 2012. With the opening of the Doha office, the world was sent a clear message: we are a nation of both resistance and negotiation. Through this effective approach, the world came to recognize that Afghanistan’s occupation was unjust and that the IEA’s struggle aimed for a prosperous Afghanistan—one that benefits the world and harms no one.
2. The Outcome of Four Decades of War
During the years of Afghanistan’s occupation, both domestic and foreign media propagated the narrative that the Taliban were the main perpetrators of the civil war. However, the real goals and plans of hidden warlords, criminals, mafia groups, parliamentary representatives, and the so-called Western-backed bureaucrats in the folds and foundations of the democracy were kept out of sight. These individuals viewed their land, public funds, and projects as prey and harbored deep contempt for their own people.
The world realized that the Taliban’s struggle was not for personal goals or power but to end this war. With the signing of the peace agreement in Doha, an initial step was taken towards ending the forty-year war. For the past three years, Afghanistan has been living in complete security.
The world came to understand that the Taliban’s struggle was not driven by personal ambition or the pursuit of power but by the goal of ending the decades-long war. The signing of the Doha peace agreement marked the first step toward concluding a 40-year conflict. Over the past three years, Afghanistan has experienced relative peace and stability.
3. A Unified and Sacred Stance
Following the opening of the Doha office, despite changes in the composition of the IEA’s negotiating team and shifts in dates and locations, the stance and objectives remained unwavering. The implementation of Islamic law, the true independence of Afghanistan, and the protection of the martyrs’ aspirations were steadfast principles and unchanging slogans. The hopes and dreams of the Afghan people were never treated as mere bargaining chips but were upheld as a sacred mission with a noble purpose.
4. True Representation of the Nation
During the republic era, for over two decades, Afghanistan’s representation in international conferences and meetings was often entrusted to individuals disconnected from the people’s hopes and aspirations. Many of them had been groomed within Kabul’s corridors of power or the palaces of the West, often holding dual or even triple citizenships. Their participation was based on gender, ethnicity, or political quotas rather than genuine representation.
In contrast, every member of the IEA’s negotiating team was a scholar and elder, raised in villages, deeply rooted in Afghan identity, and firmly committed to national and religious values. They spoke with the voice of the people, ensuring authentic representation. Through their perseverance, the provisions of the Doha Agreement were finalized, marking a true victory for Afghanistan’s sovereignty.
5. Indifference to Material Wealth and Pressure
According to media reports from various sessions of the Doha Agreement and the Qatar office, the United States and Western societies, by their nature, repeatedly resorted to using material wealth, economic, and political pressures. In the past, these tactics had yielded favorable results for them in Afghanistan’s neighboring countries and other parts of the world. However, this time the equation was reversed. The IEA’s delegation remained steadfast and indifferent to all forms of material wealth and economic pressures. In their pursuit of Afghanistan’s independence, they never took a single step back from their goals.
6. The Balance of War and Negotiations
The U.S. delegation and leaders from the Kabul administration repeatedly tried to create obstacles and delays in the name of peace and national reconciliation, using the continuation of talks as a pretext. However, the IEA’s Mujahideen and military leaders, in their commitment to the success of the negotiations, never allowed the battlegrounds of jihad and struggle to cool down. Instead, they intensified their fight, making it even more fierce and rapid than before. This positive balance between war and negotiations ultimately compelled the arrogant Americans on the diplomatic front to listen to the talks.
7. Crisis Management
During the negotiations of the Doha Agreement, domestic and foreign intelligence agencies, countries, and organizations tried to sabotage the process, ensuring that Afghanistan did not achieve true independence. They attempted to portray the Islamic Emirate as an imposed group on the people and the Kabul administration as the true representative. In response, they spread poison under the guise of economic crises and other propaganda, creating crisis circles through local militias, auxiliary forces, and other groups. However, the IEA effectively managed this crisis, neutralizing all efforts, and led Afghanistan to its genuine freedom.
8. Finding the True Source of Resolution
Throughout its struggle, the IEA never closed the door to genuine negotiations and peace. Both domestically and internationally, it showed readiness for talks, but the opposing side sometimes squandered this goodwill, either perceiving it as weakness or using it as an excuse for another opportunity. Ultimately, the door to negotiations was opened to the real and dominant authority—the United States. Those who saw their own ship sinking acted wisely, and through the Qatar office, they acknowledged the IEA as the true representative of Afghanistan. This led to successful negotiations and the signing of the Doha Agreement.
9. Bilateral Commitment and Dedication
The Doha Agreement is based on promises and practical actions from both sides in various matters. Fortunately, the IEA has always honored its word and commitments. It has fulfilled all promises under this agreement, fought against the insurgents, ensured that Afghanistan poses no threat to any other country, and made sure that no one can use its soil for hostile purposes. Unfortunately, the opposing side has violated many provisions, with numerous violations that require a separate discussion. Around six billion dollars of Afghanistan’s national assets remain frozen, and the humanitarian aid that Afghans rightfully deserve has not been provided systematically or is insufficient.
10. Readiness to Avoid Past Mistakes
In previous revolutions, after achieving victory, Afghans often forgot themselves and their country. Both their struggle and achievements were lost, as seen in the mistakes of the factional leaders following the successful jihad against the Russians, which turned Afghanistan into a heap of rubble. However, this time, with the signing of the Doha Agreement and the announcement of the occupiers’ withdrawal date, the IEA’s relevant institutions took immediate action. They began preparing to prevent the country’s destruction, enmity, and plundering, and in the days of victory, the people witnessed readiness and order. Alhamdulillah, up until now, there has been no mistake where public wealth has been looted or the country has been ruined.
Final Message
The 10th of Hoot is not an ordinary day; it holds a special place in Afghanistan’s contemporary history. It demonstrated the political wisdom and resilience of Afghans on the global stage while delivering a clear message to the nation: national issues should never be left to foreign powers.
No government can survive without the support of its people. Regimes that rely on foreign backing, like the republic, serve external interests and are bound to collapse. The 10th of Hoot stands as a testament to this reality and must be preserved in history books and educational curricula so that future generations remember this proud chapter of their ancestors.
