Fifteenth Part – Final Part
Written by: Ismail Yaqobi
Continuing from the previous parts of Abdul Rashid Dostum’s shameful record, we arrive at the final part of this series; a series that may end now, but writing down the dark pages of Dostum’s life is not possible even in multi-volume books, let alone in a series of articles.
Like other warlords, Dostum was able to present himself as a prominent figure to his Western masters by using ethnic slogans and stoking prejudice, and as a result, he benefited from this, including being exempt from all crimes and atrocities he had committed.
Yes! Despite committing the most heinous acts, Dostum was not only never sentenced, but in the final years of the decaying republic’s regime, he also assumed the title of Marshal of the country; an illiterate marshal who even called the American occupiers killed in Afghanistan “martyrs” in one of his speeches!
The suppression of political rivals is an inseparable characteristic of the Republic’s notorious warlords; individuals who shed countless blood of their peers to secure their positions and spared even their closest co-religionists. Dostum also has a long track record in this regard.
Alongside Ahmad Ishchi, Akbar Bay was another victim of this repression. While he was considered a close ally of Dostum for a long time, after exposing Dostum’s targeted killings, he was captured in 2008 when 50 of Dostum’s mercenaries raided his home. He and his son spent several nites in captivity and under torture by Dostum’s militiamen.
These crimes and lawlessness by Dostum and his comrades continued until the corrupt republican regime finally collapsed, and the people of Afghanistan were freed from the captivity of these infamous figures, beginning a life of dignity and honor under the new government.
People like Dostum, whose dark past was filled with oppression and betrayal, although they talked about resistance in the early days of the republic’s collapse and wanted to protect the luxurious palaces and properties they had acquired thru the blood of the people, they soon fled Afghanistan despite their empty slogans when they lost popular support and the nation stood against them.
From that day on, Abdul Rashid Dostum has lived in involuntary exile, occasionally attending meetings and gatherings of opponents of the Afghan government. Together, they speak of the unattainable dream of returning to Afghanistan and once again spreading their table of plunder and looting across the country.
In conclusion, it can be said that Abdul Rashid Dostum’s shameful record not only reflects the life of a warlord but also demonstrates corruption, tyranny, and betrayal of the Afghan nation – a betrayal that will never be erased from the minds of the people of this land.
He, who like other warlords once presented himself as an influential figure by relying on ethnic slogans and the unwavering support of foreign powers, has nothing left today but a bitter and instructive memory of blood and oppression.
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