By Kauser News Agency
Recent developments have raised serious concerns within intelligence and refugee monitoring circles, as a number of former Afghan National Army (ANA) and security personnel, who previously fled Afghanistan claiming persecution by the Taliban, are now publicly expressing support for the Taliban in the ongoing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
These individuals—many of whom have received asylum or temporary protection in the United States and several European countries—had initially been admitted on humanitarian grounds. Their asylum applications often cited threats from the Taliban following the regime’s takeover in August 2021. However, social media posts, live streams, and public statements have emerged showing some of these ex-soldiers voicing open support for Taliban operations or echoing pro-Taliban narratives.
A Red Flag for Western Authorities
This unexpected shift has triggered red flags among observers who question how individuals who once sought protection from the Taliban now appear to be supporting the group’s military and political agenda. Analysts suggest that this pattern could indicate several possibilities:
- Online radicalization or ideological realignment after resettlement;
- Influence operations or outreach from Taliban-affiliated networks;
- Or attempts to maintain social or political relevance among diaspora communities divided over the ongoing Afghanistan–Pakistan conflict.
A European counterintelligence analyst, speaking anonymously, said:
“If someone entered under the claim of Taliban persecution but now endorses or glorifies Taliban actions, it raises immediate questions about the authenticity of their asylum narrative and their current motivations.”
Taliban Outreach and Diaspora Narratives
Reports indicate that the Taliban have actively sought to reshape their image abroad, reaching out through online platforms to Afghan diaspora groups, including former government employees. Some former soldiers and civil servants, now disillusioned with exile life or Western bureaucracy, have been targeted by Taliban media campaigns that promote “national unity” and “Islamic brotherhood.”
This form of soft outreach blurs the lines between reconciliation and covert influence, allowing the Taliban to gain symbolic legitimacy by showing that even their former enemies now support them.
Ethical and Legal Implications
For host countries, this situation presents ethical and security challenges. Asylum law in the U.S. and Europe is based on claims of fear of persecution. Public support for the same group allegedly responsible for that persecution could undermine asylum credibility and invite case reviews or investigations under national security provisions.
Moreover, such behavior may fuel public backlash against genuine Afghan refugees who continue to face discrimination and hardship while rebuilding their lives in exile.
Conclusion
The growing number of former Afghan soldiers and officials abroad declaring allegiance or sympathy for the Taliban highlights a complex and concerning phenomenon—one that questions the boundaries between protection, ideology, and political manipulation.
Western authorities may now need to reassess background checks, monitor extremist propaganda in diaspora communities, and ensure asylum systems are not exploited for political or ideological purposes.
At the same time, Afghan community leaders urge caution, emphasizing that the actions of a few individuals should not be used to stigmatize thousands of innocent refugees who remain committed to peace, freedom, and democratic values.
Leave a Reply