We are ready to interact with all sides but will not accept orders against our "belief and national interests", said Mullah Yaqoob, the Taliban’s Defense Minister. Speaking on Afghanistan's independence anniversary, Yaqoob added that the "enemy" is trying to divide the Taliban.
According to the Taliban-affiliated News Agency Bakhtar, Yaqoob said that the Taliban have fought against the "occupation" of Afghanistan for two decades and do not want to lose it in any way.
"There are political and economic challenges, but we cannot accept anyone's orders against Islamic values. National interests should be preferred over personal interests. We do not want to live under someone else's shadow," Yaqoob said.
Over the past few years, there was a public holiday in Afghanistan on Independence Day, but the Taliban celebrated the Day without a holiday at the Ministry of Defense. Several Taliban military officials were present at this ceremony.
The Defense Minister of the Taliban at the ceremony added that efforts are being made to divide Afghans in the name of ethnicity, language, and position. He asked Afghans to forget the past and remain united.
