Mullah Omar says Afghan Taliban close to victory

[Turborama]

Source: BBC

Taliban leader Mullah Omar says his fighters are winning the war in Afghanistan and that the Nato-led campaign has been "a complete failure".

In a rare and unusually detailed statement published in four languages, the elusive leader repeated his call for foreign forces to leave.

=snip=

Mullah Omar's statement, which marked the end of the Muslim festival of Ramadan, was emailed to media outlets as well as being posted on jihadist websites. Unlike previous messages, it was published in four languages - English, Pashto, Dari and Urdu.

"The victory of our Islamic nation over the invading infidels is now imminent and the driving force behind this is the belief in the help of Allah and unity among ourselves," he said.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-11239562

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Analysis

Dawood Azami
BBC World Service, Kabul

Mullah Omar's message is his most comprehensive so far - more of a charter outlining political strategy than a simple Eid message.

He speaks about foreign policy and future government structure in the event of the Taliban winning the war. That is unlikely in the near future, given the strength of Afghan and coalition forces. But the statement is clearly about winning public support and is a clever attempt in the intensifying propaganda battle.

In contrast to previous statements, Mullah Omar not only addresses his own fighters but also ordinary Afghans and those whom the Taliban consider their enemies.

Some of the wording is reconciliatory and is aimed at wooing former mujahideen fighters who have joined the government because of what Mullah Omar admits were Taliban "mistakes".

(same link)