Taliban code of conduct book issued
Mullah Omar, the leader of the Taliban, has drawn up a code of conduct for his fighters. There doesn’t seem to be any mention of not whipping and stoning women (according to Al Jazeera), as the book concentrates on how the Taliban should behave when fighting. The rules state that:
*The utmost effort should be made to avoid civilian casualties.
*Whenever any official, soldier, contractor or worker of the slave government is captured, these prisoners cannot be attacked or harmed.
*Releasing prisoners in exchange for money is strictly prohibited.
*The mujahidin must avoid discrimination based on tribal roots, language or geographic background.
If these rules are followed, it will benefit the civilian population. However, if they are not, it will mean one of two things. Either the book was simply a ploy to disrupt elections (and given the Taliban’s willingness to murder civilians that is more than likely), or that Mullah Omar has lost control of the Taliban to younger and more extreme commanders.
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A third possibility could be that this is simply war time propaganda?
I think you are right Leon (though I think the specific focus is on undermining support in the run-up to elections).
Have to agree with Leon, this is a piece of properganda as obvious as Katie Price’s latest boob job. I cannot believe that Omar has suddenly forsaken his blood soaked policies for a cuddly, clappy clappy lets-all-sit-down-with-some-coca-and-custard-creams approach.
The Taliban have got a bloody nerve to start talking about a supposed code of conduct. Agree with the above posters.
Hilarious
Bunch of medievel lunatics. I’m surprised any of them can write given their zeal for demolishing schools.
Leon’s Option 3 looks likeliest. Way back in 2001 Omar and his companions disdained such tactics. They’ve got more canny since then.