The Silent Links Between Ismail Khan and Iran “Looting Under the Guise of Jihad”:
Throughout the contemporary history of Afghanistan, betrayal of national interests has always been carried out by figures who appeared as compassionate individuals and claimed their only goal was to support their people; however, in practice, their record has been nothing but plunder and looting.
One of the most prominent figures is Ismail Khan; someone who for years held power in the west of the country, especially in Herat province, but instead of serving, he became the architect of one of the most unprecedented periods of looting national resources.
Herat, with one of the best marble mines in the region, could have been an export and industrial hub for Afghanistan because Herat marble is renowned worldwide for its quality, color, and durability.
This national wealth, however, instead of shining in global markets under the name of Afghanistan, was smuggled to Iran during the rule of Ismail Khan over Herat. After paying a small fee to the infiltration networks, it was exported to European and Asian countries under the name “Iranian marble.”
This trend intensified during the period when Ismail Khan had complete control over the border routes of Herat, especially the Islam Qala border. There are also reports that at that time, large caravans of marble were being smuggled across the border at night without paying taxes or undergoing customs inspections, and this underground trade had become one of the most profitable financial resources for Ismail Khan’s affiliates and the funding of his mercenaries.
Alongside the plundering of natural resources, the sale and transfer of heavy and light weapons that remained in Afghanistan since the Soviet defeat can be considered another betrayal by Ismail Khan against the people of this land; tanks, rockets, communication equipment, armored vehicles, and even short-range ballistic missiles like “Luna” were among the weapons sold to Iran during Ismail Khan’s rule or hidden in warehouses that later ended up in neighboring countries.
These weapons, which had been acquired by the Mujahid nation of Afghanistan, especially the brave men of Herat, after the blood of thousands of young Afghans was shed, and at that time could have played a crucial role in defending the territorial integrity of Afghanistan, had become tools for trade and hoarding by Ismail Khan.
During the period of civil wars and afterward, many self-proclaimed jihadist leaders, especially in the western part of the country, exploited the unstable environment, lack of central oversight, and legal vacuum, taking control of complex networks of smugglers, brokers, affiliated traders, and corrupt government officials; a bitter trend led by Ismail Khan, who, under the guise of a jihadist, legitimized the plundering of national resources.
He not only turned marble mines but also customs, foreign aid, and even military reserves into personal and family income sources. He built marble palaces from their addresses and created a lavish life for himself and his family with money that was not rightfully his.
Without a doubt, in this context, Iran, as the closest neighbor and strategic partner of this notorious figure, has gained the most from Ismail Khan’s betrayal of his country.
To be continued…
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