‘Daesh, al-Qaeda would not allow the war to end’

SHEBERGHAN (SW) – Abdul Rashid Dostum, the first vice president, has said Daesh and al-Qaeda fighters have taken positions in Jawzjan, Sar-i-Pul, Faryab and Badghes provinces.

During a meeting with Mohammad Mohaqiq, deputy to the chief executive, and a number of other politicians, Dostum said these foreign fighters are under the leadership of Taher Yuldaesh's son, Juma Bai and Dr. Hamid. According to him, these militants are currently undergoing training.

The first vice president insisted there is no hope of ending the war even after peace with the Taliban because the Daesh and al-Qaeda groups are getting ready to continue with the militancy.

He said an estimated 800 foreign militants have taken positions to continue with the insurgency even in the case of a peace deal with the Taliban.

However, Zubair Aref, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, said Daesh has been defeated in the northern provinces and will be suppressed by security forces if they come again. According to some reports, Daesh has secretly launched its activities in the mountains of Jawzjan and Sar-i-Pul provinces.

ENDS