National Movement leader Abdul Rashid Dostum has warned the Taliban against ignoring calls for negotiations, saying that continued refusal to engage in dialogue could push Afghanistan toward a new and difficult-to-control war.
Speaking at a ceremony marking “Martyrs’ Week,” Dostum directly addressed Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and urged the group to prevent the situation from escalating.
Dostum warned the Taliban not to take calls for negotiations lightly, stressing that the group’s opponents do not want war or further bloodshed in Afghanistan. He said the Taliban should agree to dialogue in order to find a political solution to the country’s ongoing crisis.
According to Dostum, if the Taliban refuses negotiations and conflict intensifies, the responsibility for the consequences will rest with the group.
The former Afghan vice president has remained a prominent opponent of the Taliban since the group returned to power in August 2021. His latest remarks come amid continued political tensions and calls from various Afghan opposition figures for an inclusive political process.
Dostum’s warning highlights growing concerns that the absence of meaningful political dialogue could further deepen divisions and create conditions for renewed armed conflict.
He urged the Taliban leadership to take the situation seriously and avoid allowing tensions to reach a point where violence becomes difficult to control.