Third Part
Writer: Ismail Yaqoobi
As the presence of Soviet forces in Afghanistan intensified, many individuals affiliated with the Parcham and Khalq regimes were in direct service of the Red Army.
In the meantime, Abdul Rashid Dostum was not exempt from this caravan; rather, he was among those who seized the opportunity and opened the doors to the occupiers.
As he previously entered the communist government’s security apparatus thru Syed Ikram, he was now in direct contact with Soviet officers.
At that time, the Soviets were looking for figures who had local influence among the people and would unconditionally carry out Moscow’s orders – orders that, in most cases, were in line with the interests of the occupiers and the suppression of the minimum rights of the people of this land.
Dostum, a dark figure known for his ambition, cruelty, and mercenary spirit, was exactly the pawn they needed.
In the mid-1980s, with direct Soviet support, he was able to elevate his military position; thus, the 53rd Infantry Division, created by order and equipment from the Russians, quickly became his main tool for suppressing opponents and consolidating personal influence.
The soldiers recruited into this sect were mostly uneducated and vulnerable local youth who were lured by the promise of livelihood and power; however, in reality, they were turned into infantry to carry out Soviet strategic plans.
Due to his military performance and Dostum’s close cooperation with the Soviet puppet government, the then-President, Dr. Najib, awarded Dostum the highest national honor at the time, the “Hero of the Republic of Afghanistan,” in 1367 Solar Hijri.
A title that was actually worlds away from Dostum’s performance, but this title further solidified his political and military position and strengthened the foundations of his power in the north and neighboring provinces.
Dostum received the title “Hero of the Republic” from the Soviet puppet regime led by Dr. Najib, while the free people of Afghanistan, in their pursuit of the country’s freedom and independence and in defense of their sacred beliefs, had taken up resistance in every corner of the land and stood against this bloodthirsty regime.
During such a sensitive period, Dostum, who later donned a mask to protect his personal interests and sounded the opposition against the communist government, received the title “Hero of the Republic” for his tireless services to the occupiers.
This stage of Dostum’s life was a turning point that transformed him from a local commander into one of the main political and military players on the Afghan stage, paving the way for his subsequent influence and activities in the coming decades.
To gain the trust of Russian officers, Dostum proved his loyalty not only on the battlefield but also in intelligence meetings and gatherings; for this reason, he quickly became one of the trusted figures among Soviet advisors in northern Afghanistan.
During this period, his cruelty and ruthlessness became legendary; numerous reports indicate that he resorted to torture, summary executions, and forced displacement to suppress local opponents – actions that, while provoking deep hostility among the people, were considered by the Soviets as a sign of “loyalty and seriousness.”
The Soviet Union had established large bases in northern Afghanistan, and Jawzjan, Faryab, and Balkh were of strategic importance to them.
With a network of armed individuals and mercenaries at his disposal, Dostum became the main executor of these policies, and in fact, he was not only a local commander but also the direct implementer of the Red Army’s plans in the region.
From then on, Dostum was no longer just a local figure; he was on his way to becoming one of the key players in the Soviet occupation. Therefore, with unprecedented military and financial support, the Russians were strengthening him, while Dostum was at their service with all his might.
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