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Afghanistan: “Weekend jihadis” draw government paycheck, fight for Taliban

Sep 11, 2009 5:19 am By Marisol

“War is Deceit” – Muhammad

“Afghanistan’s ‘weekend jihadis’,” by Kate Clark for BBC News, September 11 (thanks to Alan):

In the villages of Afghanistan, many young men are working for the government during the week, but fighting for the Taliban at weekends.

“We don’t get paid,” says Gul Mohammad.

“It’s voluntary – all for the sake of God. We even buy fuel for the operations ourselves. And our own ammunition and bullets.”

“Poverty causes terrorism,” except when it doesn’t:

Gul Mohammad (his name changed to protect his identity) is not what you might think of as a typical Taliban fighter.

He is educated, in his 20s, married with children and, during the week, he works in a government office.

“I’m a civil servant – that’s how I support my family, with my salary and by growing wheat, here in the village.

“At the same time, I work for the Islamic Emirate (the name the Taliban use for their regime in Afghanistan). I’ve been fighting for the Taliban for about two years.” […]

The phenomenon of weekend jihadis raises many questions – not just about how to maintain the security of Kabul and provincial capitals, but also how the insurgency will reach an end.

Most Taliban fighters in his area are young men, says Mohsin (name changed to protect identity), who is also from the district of Wardak. He says many are civil servants.

“People working in Kabul or the provincial capital, who have land and families in the villages, need to show they support the Taliban.

“They provide manpower or contribute in other ways like giving top-up cards for mobile phones or financial assistance. They need to be able to keep commuting from village to work.”

According to Mohsin, it is not just individuals who split their loyalties in order to survive what feels like a civil war.

“It’s a secret in the village – there are people who are seniors in the Taliban and their brothers are seniors in the Afghan administration – they are aware of each others’ activities and their involvement, and this is accepted as a matter of fact.”…

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