Interview with Mulla Dadullah

Mulla Dadullah, the military coordinator for the Taliban, appeared in an interview on the evening of Monday, 12 Jumada Al-Akhirah, 1426, July 18, 2005 conducted by Al-Jazeera Television. In it, Dadullah emphasized the fact that the Taliban remain true to their goal and that American casualties are being hidden from the public.

AJ: What is the rational behind the sudden escalation of Taliban operations in Afghanistan?

DADULLAH: Mullah Omar and other Taliban leaders have already stated that attacks against the infidels and the apostate government of Afghanistan would escalate as soon as the harsh winter weather gives way to warmer one. There have also been significant changes in tactics, types of weapons, financial support, and support of the Afghan people.

AJ: The Americans claimed to have freed their prisoner who was captured by Taliban. What is your comment about that?

DADULLAH: This is totally false. The Kafir American remained in our custody until the verdict of Allah was implemented on him. Americans have lied from the beginning and continue to lie, especially about their casualties. The number of Americans killed by Mujahideen in Afghanistan is much greater than what the American media disclose.

AJ: Was the American prisoner interrogated before he was killed and were you able to get useful information out of him?

DADULLAH: Yes. He was interrogated and was made aware of the crimes he committed against Islam and Muslims. Alhamdulillah, some of the information he gave us was very useful in our war against the infidels.

AJ: Did the Americans ask for his release and what were your conditions for releasing him?

DADULLAH: The Americans did not ask for his release and we knew that they would not because they do not want to admit to the fact that we captured one of their own and they are not able to free him. It is part of hiding their casualties and part of their false propaganda about winning the war in Afghanistan.

AJ: Is there groups other than Taliban who are engaged in fighting the Americans and the Afghan government?

DADULLAH: All Afghan people are Muslims; they all have weapons and know how to use their weapons. The majority of them are supporter of Taliban and their Jihad against the enemies of Islam. Few have been drawn to the dollars. There are also Arab Mujahideen in Afghanistan. Faithful Muslims will always join the fight to eradicate the enemies of Allah.

AJ: Afghanistan has an elected government and there is an election coming up; why does Taliban want to undermine the election and the elected government?

DADULLAH: The current government was forced on the Afghan people by the Americans. Afghan people now see the crimes committed by this government and their American protectors. People do not hold us responsible for destruction of infrastructure and homes. People know that the enemies of Allah always resort to carpet bombing of everything whenever they are not able to fight and defeat the Mujahideen. Furthermore, preserving the religion is far more important than preserving hospitals, homes, mosques, etc. All world powers became united and came to Afghanistan to dismantle Islam. Therefore, it is the duty of Muslims to defend their religion first and foremost.
We do not target innocent civilians, hospitals, market places, etc. The offices or buildings we have targeted and burnt are those used by mercenaries to convert young Afghans to Christianity under the guise “social services”.

AJ: How were you able to shoot down that American aircraft? Do you now possess advanced weapon systems?

DADULLAH: I would not want to go into a detailed discussion about our weaponry systems. However, I can say to you that we currently have advanced weapon systems and we are getting even more advanced weapons, logistic and high tech support systems in the next few months.

AJ: It is said that the Americans and their allies are changing their strategy in pursuing you. They are now increasing their activities inside Pakistan and around borders between Pakistan and Afghanistan. What do you say to that?

DADULLAH: Whether they change their strategy or not, this will not change anything. One must remember that the goal of the Kafir is not limited to Afghanistan. They want to uproot Islam all together and they will go to any length to accomplish that. We do not operate out of Pakistan, Iran, or any other neighboring country. The Americans are lying and they always do to cover up their failure to eradicate Jihad and defeat the Mujahideen. Every now and then they let their media machine spread lies about our presence in Pakistan and the need for Pakistan government to do more to track down, kill or capture mujahideen. They do that to avoid questions at home about lack of progress in their war against us.

AJ: Do you anticipate taking Kabul?

DADULLAH: Taking cities is not part of our present tactics. Our tactics now are hit and run; we attack certain locations, kill the enemies of Allah there, and retreat to safe bases in the mountains to preserve our Mujahideen. This tactic disrupts and weakens the enemies of Allah and in the same time, allows us to be on the offensive. We decide the time and place for our attacks, in this way the enemy is always guessing. We have attacked and occupied certain locations for a short period of time. This was done only to achieve the objectives of the operation. But we will always retreat to our safe bases.

AJ: If neither Pakistan nor other countries give you any support, how do manage to get your needed logistic and other supports?

DADULLAH: We believe in Allah and we fight in his cause as He ordered us. Allah is our helper and protector, and by the grace of Allah, we will achieve victory.

AJ: By what mechanism do you get orders from Mullah Omar?

DADULLAH: We do not see or meet with Mullah Omar. His orders reach us and they are implemented as ordered. That is the Grace of Allah, He bestows on whom ever He wishes. But you must understand that our fight is for the purpose of preserving and protecting this great religion, Islam, and we do not base our fight on a particular person.

AJ: Where is Mullah Omar now? Is he in Pakistan, Afghanistan, or Iran?

DADULLAH: Pakistan has turned its back on us and has helped the Americans in their fight against us. Pakistan allowed its territories to be used as launch pads from which Americans attack Mujahideen in many places. Iran is a sworn enemy of us, so are other neighboring countries. If Mullah Omar was within the territory of a country that is an enemy of us, he would have been detained by now. I do not know where he is, it is possible that he is a in a mountain area that is not under the control of any country. It is reasonable to assume that he is in a safe place with only 5-10 of his top trusted lieutenants while the rest of Mujahideen do not know his location.

AJ: Is there any cooperation between you and Al-Qaida?

DADULLAH: Cooperation between us and Al-Qaida is very strong. Many of our Arab mujahideen brothers are fighting alongside of us to establish the religion of Allah. We will accompany Al-Qaida anywhere to fight the enemies of Allah.

AJ: Do you get financial support from Muslims outside of Afghanistan?

DADULLAH: Yes. Great numbers of Muslims support us in spite of Bush’s wish. Bush claims to have cut off all financial support channels to Mujahideen but we have continued to receive support from our Muslim brothers across the globe. Jihad requires large sums of money and Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah), we are getting what we need.

AJ: Have you been approached by Americans to negotiate a settlement to the situation in Afghanistan?

DADULLAH: Yes, more than once, but we have always refused. Our message to them was to unconditionally withdraw their forces from the country as a first step. Negotiation can then follow but the only item that would be up for negotiation is their crimes against Afghanistan and its people and how they are expected to compensate for that.

At the end, the interviewer thanked Mullah Dadullah for his time and candidness.