Several Afghan political movements opposed to the Taliban announced what they described as a coordinated political stance during an online meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9, even as some participants and observers questioned whether Iran played a behind-the-scenes role in facilitating the gathering.
Dozens of political figures and representatives of various parties joined the virtual session, which produced a joint declaration calling for a UN-backed political settlement, intra-Afghan talks, a new constitution, and the restoration of national sovereignty to the Afghan people.
The statement also urged protections for freedoms, an end to restrictions on women, prevention of forced displacement, transparency in mining, and the lifting of curbs on free expression. It endorsed the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2721.
The declaration was read in Pashto, Farsi, Uzbeki and English.
Participants included Abdul Rashid Dostum, Atta Mohammad Noor, Yunus Qanuni, Mohammad Mohaqiq, Haneef Atmar, Omar Daudzai and Mohammad Alam Ezedyar. Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front, and former mujahideen commander Ismail Khan joined only in the final minutes.
A member of the meeting told Amu TV that the session aimed to build political alignment among opposition groups, not to establish a new council or coalition. The participant, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue, claimed that Iran had acted as a “mediator” encouraging groups to convene and explore avenues for dialogue with the Taliban.
Three additional sources confirmed that Iran had encouraged Afghan political figures to hold the meeting. However, other participants rejected this.
Hussain Yasa, a figure close to Mohammad Mohaqiq, said: “We are unaware of any such role by Iran.”
Mirzada, spokesman for the National Movement for Peace and Justice led by Haneef Atmar, also denied interference, saying: “Reports of Iranian involvement are incorrect. We have long intended to work together under one platform.”
Despite the focus on political dialogue, the joint declaration made no reference to armed resistance — even though some groups involved in the meeting, including Massoud’s National Resistance Front, are engaged in armed conflict with the Taliban. The Freedom Front, an anti-Taliban armed movement, did not participate.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Dostum called for signatures from participants to send the declaration to the international community, including the European Union.
The appeal for negotiations came as armed clashes continued in Panjshir province. The National Resistance Front said it carried out a “complex” two-stage attack on a Taliban base in Darah Abdullah Khil on Monday evening, claiming 17 Taliban fighters, including a battalion chief of staff, were killed and five others injured. The group said an explosive device detonated first, followed by rocket fire.
Local sources earlier told Amu TV that at least eight Taliban members were killed in two explosions at a Taliban headquarters in the same area. Taliban forces reportedly cordoned off parts of the valley and questioned residents after the incident. The Taliban have not commented.
