Three major Afghan opposition groups have formally withdrawn from the National Assembly for the Salvation of Afghanistan, citing fundamental disagreements over structure, policy direction, and leadership practices.
The National Resistance Front led by Ahmad Massoud, Jamiat-e Islami under Salahuddin Rabbani, and the Afghanistan Freedom Front headed by Yasin Zia announced their exit from the coalition in separate statements released this week.
Jamiat-e Islami said it had raised “serious concerns” from the outset about the Assembly’s framework and strategic priorities, which it had communicated to allied political figures. The party stated that the failure to address these concerns undermines both the Afghan people and broader efforts to unify opposition forces against the Taliban.
The National Resistance Front voiced similar objections, stating that the Assembly was unable to uphold the political and operational standards necessary for meaningful opposition. The group said it would no longer participate in any decisions or proceedings of the Assembly.
The Afghanistan Freedom Front, in its own statement, rejected reports that it had ever joined the Assembly, stressing that it had not entered into any formal coalition. However, it reaffirmed its willingness to coordinate with anti-Taliban forces in support of national transition efforts.
The National Assembly for the Salvation of Afghanistan was formed late last year as a coalition of opposition political figures and organizations aiming to create a unified stance against Taliban rule. The withdrawal of these prominent groups underscores the ongoing challenges in forming a cohesive opposition bloc amid deepening divisions in exile politics.
