Dostum to resume military operations against Taliban

ISLAMABAD (NNI): The former Afghan warlord General Abdul Rashid Dostum would soon leave for Afghanistan to rally his forces and launch military operations against the ruling Taliban in northern Afghanistan.

"We are trying to pave the way for the visit of General Dostum to Afghanistan to resume his military operations. Our operations in northern area are continuing. We would hopefully bring in further improvement in our operations after General Dostum resumes command of his forces", said General Abdul Malik in an interview with Radio Tehran.

The two warlords have once again joined hands after meeting in the Iranian city of Mashad. The meeting was facilitated by the Iranian authorities. The two have agreed to merge their respective groups and form military and political councils.

Under the plan, General Dostum would head the military council while General Malik would lead the political council.

General Malik lauded the Iranian government for arranging meeting and patch between the two northern warlords. "I would want to thank the Islamic Republic of Iran for making the atmosphere conducive for the Afghans to have a meeting and resolve their mutual differences and difficulties", he added.

He said they have set aside their mutual differences to pay heed to the resolution of the problems of the Afghans at a time when the aliens (Taliban) have committed aggression against Afghanistan. "Our endeavour is to liberate our territory and people. That is why, we set aside all the differences and signed a protocol to develop brotherhood and friendship".

Malik said that they have constituted a 60-member council to run the affairs of the newly formed alliance. "My brother would assist General Dostum in his committees affairs while General Dostum would introduce one of his aides to assist me in the Political Committee."

He said that their alliance is a component group of the anti-Taliban northern alliance. "We recognize the government of Professor Rabbani and would continue our political and organizational affairs under the banner his government"