First Part
Writer: Ismail Yaqoobi
Abdul Rashid Dostum, a traitor in the guise of a patriot; Afghanistan has witnessed numerous events and incidents over the past forty years; events that have often been bitter and tragic, leaving many unpleasant memories in the minds of the Afghan people.
Undoubtedly, forty years of war and insecurity, while this land has been a pawn in the hands of world superpowers and their domestic mercenaries, have created an ominous atmosphere for the people of this region.
Throughout this time, many individuals from within Afghan society have risen up, some making themselves shields for this suffering nation, while others, exploiting the existing situation, have joined the ranks of the enemies of their religion and country, and have hung the humiliating yoke of slavery and bondage around their necks.
In the meantime, amidst the invasion of foreign countries, especially the Soviet Union and subsequently the United States and NATO, the masks of many faces were removed, revealing the true nature and essence of those who presented themselves as servants of the people.
When the faithful people of Afghanistan were driven to desperation by the oppression and tyranny of the former Soviet Union’s puppet government and its domestic mercenaries, and with empty hands resolved to defeat the superpower of that time, some hid the cloak of treachery, donned the mask of a mujahid and a well-wisher of the people, and cried out in defense of truth.
Individuals who, until their personal interests were threatened, were in the service of the Soviet government and in countless instances were their right-hand men in committing horrific crimes against their own people.
Abdul Rashid Dostum, a dark figure whose name has been associated with blood, betrayal, and mercenary work for foreigners over the years; a person who stood alongside the occupiers instead of defending his own land and people during the uprising of the Afghan nation against the Soviet Red Army, effectively becoming the military arm of the foreigners.
It should be mentioned that his record from the very beginning was full of treason against his homeland and the oppression of the innocent; a person who repeatedly changed his colors with changing conditions and shifts in power, presenting himself as the “defender of the people.” But in reality, Dostum never thot about his people or his country; the only things that mattered to him were power, wealth, and personal survival, and that was all.
His crimes were not limited to the days of cooperation with the Soviets; in the years after the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, Dostum became one of the main figures in the civil wars, devastating battles whose negative consequences were no less than during the occupation, with the difference that the enemies of this period were people from within this land, not foreigners.
Throughout this entire period, the forces under Dostum’s command were involved in the massacre of defenseless people, looting of property, destruction of villages and cities, and even harassment of women and children; so much so that the memories of the people of northern Afghanistan are intertwined with his and his men’s oppression and violations – dark stains that will never be erased.
At the same time, at every stage of Afghanistan’s contemporary history, he has joined hands with foreign powers and, under various titles and guises, has chosen the way of betraying his religion, country, and nation.
Sometimes he leaned on the Russians, at other times he sold himself to the Americans, and sometimes he allied himself with NATO; a truth that shows Dostum was never committed to the country’s independence and the nation’s dignity, and remained a slave to foreigners at all times.
Therefore, the time has come for his true face to be revealed more than ever. The following series of articles will expose the shameful record of Abdul Rashid Dostum; a record filled with betrayal, crime, and servitude to foreigners.
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