KABUL— Mawlawi Zubair Mutmaeen used to run Taliban suicide-bombing squads in Kabul. On a recent day, in his new role as police chief for one of the Afghan capital’s districts, he was busy mediating a marital dispute.
“Previously I was serving Islam, and now I’m also serving Islam. There is no difference,” Mr. Mutmaeen, 39, said. Even the Taliban’s main strength—providing security—is being tested by a ferocious campaign of attacks by the regional affiliate of the Islamic State militant group, including two bombings this month at mosques used by the minority Shiite Muslims, which killed dozens.
Now the war is over, the Taliban have to find a way to add these men to the government payroll at a time when Afghan government coffers are empty, most foreign aid is suspended and some $9 billion in Afghan central-bank assets are frozen in the U.S. The Taliban have been trying to project an image of safety and normalcy since retaking power. But as WSJ’s Sune Rasmussen reports from Kabul, harsh punishments, violence, and a crackdown on basic freedoms are becoming the reality. Photo: Bulent Kilic/AFP/Getty Images
The Haqqani Network hit Kabul relentlessly, pulling off many of the most lethal attacks in the capital. Among the assaults Mr. Mutmaeen said he ordered were on the presidential palace, a CIA office and the Kabul Serena hotel, which was struck multiple times over the years and where much of the foreign media is currently staying, under Taliban protection.
Those disapproving of the Taliban hesitate to raise their voices, including anyone critical of the group’s police. The Taliban have cracked down on small-scale demonstrations that have taken place in Kabul and other cities, firing in the air and hitting women who demanded equal rights. Two journalists working for Afghan newspaper Etilaatroz, covering a women’s protest in Kabul last month, were taken away by the Taliban and severely beaten in a police station.
A senior police officer in the 12th district, Qari Fasi, said the Taliban weren’t seeking retribution against members of the fallen regime and its security forces. “We forgive everyone,” he said. “Our duty is to protect everyone now.”
When can the Taliban Commander share the peace with the Afghan women and children ?
Bomb for invaders 😏
Vast spectrum of skills on his CV
This guy has very diverse work experience.
“This isn’t the career I thought it would be”
We need him to handle stolen cars in the USA?
This headline sounds like he's a good guy now
suicide-bomber against his land occupier, social reformer with his people. you once did that..... why the surprise? 🤔
Cruel irony
okay
Owners of B 52 bomber killing millions of people in third world countries . Then negotiating with them.
Yeah it's the same thing we have ,Collin powel, general McKenzie and a all lot others certified war criminals,as respected government officials in the US . same thing.
He'll blow the stolen car with thief in front of owner... i just joking.. ha ha ha
When You Still in Mountains or Jungles You Will Be Called Bandit or Terrorist But When You Already in Office Then You Will Be Called Politician! Just Ask Vietnam Farmers Haha.
FJB
That was fast. Like, crazy and not in a good way fast. Stepping right and giving the lobsters names, not the commies at the New York Times or the Washington Post, but the appeasers at the 'Wall Street Journal'.
And since the Biden Admin' of Multicultural(Except Caucasian) incompetents does not yet have a 'Suicide Bomber' he may be tabbed by the Biden Administration for a cabinet position!
Ok, so can we assume that you liked the bombings better?
while former US Commander-in-Chief (LOL) still trying to undo 11/20 election results with whining and falsehoods
All revolutionaries should be required to have either an MBA or and MPA! Post revolution there is that proverbial 'Monday Morning of the Mundane': the busses have to run on time, when the electricity must be on, clean water running in the spigots, food stores and schools open!
Mind ur own business. Why do u have a stomachache ..?
This, from an American media house. Americans, the warmongers.
Be a shame if there was a drone nearby….
May he and his people keep peace..
You said and we believed oki 🤡🤡🤡🤡
Like the Oil curse, this is the curse of the cult. The World has suffered the scourge for past 1500 years.
oh well
If they would sacrifice themselves for the freedom of country they can also protect it and there will be an ideal government where all the people feel themselves safe and thier properties protected.
I like how WSJ is making the Taliban look like good people but always talk shit about innocent people. People wont miss you when u are gone bankrupt from lawsuits!!
Now that you have located him. Will there be an arrest?
Sure
Slow Saturday recycling old news article on the Taliban.
Same like George bush Colin Powell who sent there troops to killed thousands innocent Iraqi, name of WMD
'Anti-ISIS warrior puts his army on the road to peace'
How many heads did he cut off and hang in public bacause they have not understood that civil and educated societies do not reduce themselves to using barbaric acts.
Irony is dead
'The mall is over there, after 3 block you'll see it next to the strip club and the ham shawarma'.
AfghanistanDisaster Afghanistan BidenDisaster
They're real representatives of Afghanistan they fought for the Islam & Freedom of their Homeland against the brutal invaders for 20 YEARS with empty hands and hangry stomachs. And now they're providing the best security. And they will provide the best economy also at the time.
I always knew they could have other skills.
We should have never taken the country away from them. Let them be pitiful bureaucrats, better than suicide bombing our troops, who had zero strategic clarity to begin with.
AfghansNeedWorldAttention
The stationary bandit
WSJ is really great. You can not only whitewash white collar crimes of the corporate, but transform terrorists into saints. What a great bandwidth? I admire.
and soon will be a theatrical agent
Let’s go BRANDON
Wars are always dirty .. World should help them live in peace if these guys wants to solve their own problem ..
every time you say a something like that you should add «as we know cia controls up to 90 percent terrorists globally». and certainly about Taliban «created by cia efforts via Pakistan puppet gov proxy».
Makes for quite a Linkedin..
I wouldn't be surprised if they ask for out assistance again, they also have a Hugh problem with That ISIS K over there
賊喊捉賊！
Criminals and terrorists are what the talibans are,no matter ex-commander and now police chief ,they are responsible for so many killings.
Sounds right.
Fulani cattle bandits that have killed many have now been enrolled into Nigeria custom department,
His 'mother-in-law rule' is appealing ... I would like this rule to apply in the United Stats.
wow this is a shame. good that this kind of thing only happens in Afghanistan and literally nowhere else in the world.
Whatever they are, they make this true by US
Biden thinks they are our allies
The US invasion and occupation of Afghanistan was a crime.
He has been doing a good job. After eradicating the Yankee invaders, he now is working for the betterment of his country. Hence, you guys are very upset and make it your front page news. What a looser mentality?!!😀😀 CNNPolitics POTUS SenateForeign
Chinese Communist Party did the same shift 70 years ago.
Oh don't be so naiive, he's an inside man. Once Taliban, always Taliban, when you've went down that path of hate and extremism there's no way out or back.
Reversal of roles. Good for the Afghan people if they do the right thing this time around.
Blame Jimmy Carter for this this chaos! The American so-called 'war on terror' is a bloody joke. The CIA created this terror from scratch when it started arming Bin Laden (in 1978) against communism. Now 'communist' China is laughing at the U.S.
Nice congrats on the promotion, guess you can thank Brandon for that one.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Source: Newsweek - 🏆 468. / 52 Read more »
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »
Source: trtworld - 🏆 101. / 63 Read more »
Source: seriouseats - 🏆 410. / 53 Read more »
Source: WebMD - 🏆 709. / 51 Read more »
NPR Cookie Consent and ChoicesOh cool as long as he tries That one? I'll believe it when I see it. No more lip service in America. The proof is in the pudding. Tucson*
Source: NPR - 🏆 96. / 63 Read more »