In a new video produced by Al-Emara Jihadic Studio, the media arm of the Taliban's shadow government in Afghanistan, the Taliban blame the foreign troops in Afghanistan for mistreating prisoners. The video uses footage of an American soldier in their captivity, who warns that Afghanistan is going to be the ''next Vietnam.''
In the video, the Al-Emara Jihadic Studio explains that its objective is to inform the people of Afghanistan and the world about the ''realities of the current jihad'' in Afghanistan, to expose ''the lies and double standards of the Western media by unveiling the realities [in Afghanistan]'' and to enlighten ''the new young generation of Muslims with Islamic and Jihadic ideology.''
The video, with English sub-titles and running over 36 minutes 27 seconds, has been released by the Commission of Cultural Affairs (Audio and Video Department) of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the Taliban's shadow government in Afghanistan.
A narrator comments, in English, about torture and ill-treatment of prisoners in Afghanistan by the foreign troops during the past eight years of war in Afghanistan, as the video shows clips of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Gordon Brown, Hamid Karzai and Donald Rumsfeld discussing freedom and human rights.
Accusing the West of committing violations of human rights of prisoners in Afghanistan and showing clips of the torture of captured militants in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and elsewhere, the narrator claims that Islam is a religion of peace and has clear rules of battle in jihad and even mujahideen are not allowed to violate these rules.
As it shows the footage of the captured American soldier, the narrator says that Muslims are ''required to behave well with a prisoner of non-believers who is captured in battlefield.'' He quotes Prophet Muhammad as instructing his fighters during battles to treat prisoners well.
The video shows American soldier Bowe Robert Bergdahl making a long statement about his background, his capture and about how organized the Taliban are in Afghanistan. In the statement Bergdahl also questions the purpose of the war and warns that it is going to be the ''next Vietnam.'' In addition, the soldier conveys a message to his family and friends that he is safe and healthy.
The Taliban video also re-produces clips, possibly obtained from the Western sources, of several U.S. veterans talking about the Afghan war and the message of change that Barack Obama had conveyed during his election bid. It also shows statements of a person affected by foreign troops' bombings in Afghanistan, as well as a statement by Moazzam Baig, the ex-British detainee at Guantanamo Bay.
At the end of the video, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, makes an audio statement with the following English sub-titles:
Media and authorities may contact memri@memri.org to request a copy of the video.
To View The Full Report, Click Here.
YOU MUST BE A JTTM SUBSCRIBER TO VIEW THE FULL REPORT. TO SUBSCRIBE CLICK HERE.
