Sources in Kabul have confirmed that Ammar Yasir, a former member of the Taliban's negotiating team, has left Afghanistan for Qatar after criticizing the group's leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada. The sources told Afghanistan International on Sunday, October 4, that Taliban intelligence had warned Mr. Yasir to refrain from such statements in the future.
According to these sources, Mr. Yasir traveled to Qatar to meet his family, but they also confirmed he had been "advised" due to his criticism. The Taliban's intelligence agency reportedly told him that they would limit their action to an "advisement" this time, but he would face consequences if it were repeated.
Ammar Yasir, who is the son-in-law of former Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour, had strongly criticized the Taliban government's silence regarding recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan soil in a post on the social media platform X on Thursday, October 1. He wrote: "It seems we have gotten used to being beaten; neither the government's voice is raised, nor the subjects'. You have trained us well, thank you leader."
This statement sparked widespread debate among Taliban members. While one group considered his words a violation of the principle of obedience to the leader, others supported his protest. The Pakistani military has conducted several airstrikes in Afghan border areas over the past two weeks, and according to experts, the Taliban leadership's silence has caused discontent within the group.
In his response to Taliban intelligence, Mr. Yasir stated that he currently holds no position in the government and his criticism stemmed purely from "feeling the pain and solidarity with the people." He is the son of Yasir Wardak, a prominent founder of the Taliban.
Following the heated discussions, Ammar Yasir posted another message on Sunday, urging social media users not to waste their time on "worthless" topics and to focus on their main responsibilities. He wrote that users' opinions are not valuable enough to insult each other over and added that he does not care if people blame him.
Source: Afghanistan International
🌐
