KHAD and the Policy of Exploiting Ethnic and Factional Divisions in Afghanistan

DID Press: One of the most serious issues warranting examination in Dr Najibullah’s security record, particularly during his tenure as head of KHAD and later as the country’s leader, is the allegation that ethnic, linguistic, religious and factional divisions were systematically exploited to weaken opponents and prevent the emergence of national solidarity in Afghanistan.

According to accounts of the security apparatus’s conduct during that period, existing social and political divisions were not merely managed as realities within society. Rather, they were allegedly used as tools of pressure, infiltration, weakening and containment against opponents of the government. Such an approach went beyond a security tactic and may have contributed to growing mistrust, escalating internal violence and damage to the foundations of national unity in Afghanistan.

Key Areas and Practices Warranting Examination

1. Exploitation of Ethnic and Linguistic Divisions: Using ethnic, linguistic and regional sensitivities to create distance between social groups and weaken political opponents of the regime.

2. Fueling Religious Divisions: Exploiting religious differences and sensitivities to generate suspicion and discord among communities and different social groups.

3. Infiltration of Mujahideen Ranks: Using infiltrators and intelligence operations to create divisions, mistrust and confrontation among commanders and leaders of jihadist movements.

4. Deepening Rivalries Among Jihadi Factions: Exploiting the political and military rivalries of different factions to prevent the formation of a united military and political front against the government.

5. Creating Distrust Among Leaders and Commanders: Using propaganda, rumour-mongering and psychological operations to undermine relations among influential political, religious and military figures.

6. Turning Political Disagreements into Ethnic and Linguistic Hostility: Encouraging ideological and political disputes and steering them towards ethnic, linguistic and social tensions.

7. Undermining National Cohesion: Exploiting existing divisions among ethnic communities and social groups to prevent national understanding and cooperation from taking shape.

8. Establishing and Strengthening Ethnic and Local Militias: Forming, equipping or supporting local armed groups and militias in which ethnic, regional or political affiliations were prominent, potentially contributing to armed rivalries, mistrust and deeper divisions across the country.

9. Exploiting Disputes Among Political and Religious Leaders: Using rivalries and disagreements among influential figures to weaken social and political unity.

10. Divisive Propaganda: Using media outlets, publications and propaganda tools to foster suspicion among ethnic communities, religious groups and political movements.

11. Preventing the Formation of a Joint Islamic and National Front: Exploiting factional, ethnic and political differences to keep opponents divided and prevent lasting cooperation among them.

12. Maintaining a Policy of Division: Using social and political fractures as instruments for preserving influence and power, at the expense of public trust and national solidarity.

National and Historical Consequences

The consequences of such policies, if organised and pursued by the security apparatus and political leadership of the time, would not have been limited to weakening government opponents. The expansion of militia structures, the strengthening of ethnic and factional affiliations within armed groups, intensified political rivalries and the exploitation of religious sensitivities could have pushed society towards fragmentation, internal violence and the erosion of trust among citizens.

Afghanistan’s national unity rests on mutual respect among its ethnic communities, languages, religions and political movements. No ethnic group, language, religion or faction should be turned into an instrument of power competition or a means of suppressing others.

Conclusion and Historical Demand

The role of Dr Najibullah and the KHAD security apparatus in intensifying ethnic, linguistic, religious and factional divisions should be independently investigated as a central issue in examining the political and security responsibilities of that period.

Such an investigation should establish whether infiltration, propaganda, militia formation and the incitement of social divisions were systematically used to weaken opponents and prevent national unity.

By Dr Abdul Rauf Tawana | DID News Agency