World ‘sleepwalking into another 9/11’ as Taliban welcome al-Qaeda back to Afghanistan

Taliban show off haul of US and Allied military kit The world risks facing another massive terrorist attack on the scale of 9/11 now al-Qaeda has been welcomed back to Afghanistan, an exiled opposition leader fears. Atta Mohammad Nur believes the Islamist extremists are planning to use his former home as a base from which to train and prepare for atrocities on foreign soil – just as they did before the attacks on the World Trade Centres in New York 22 years ago, in which nearly 3,000 people died. Mr Nur, a former Governor of Balkh Province who quit the country after the Taliban’s return to power two years ago, said the world ignored the rising threat at its peril. He explained: ‘The Taliban’s history of supporting terrorism is on repeat, with al-Qaeda once more scheming to train, plot and prepare for international operations from inside Afghanistan. ‘The world is sleepwalking into another nightmare like 9/11.’ The world is ‘sleepwalking into another 911’, claimed Atta Mohammad Nur The Taliban, as a recognised terrorist organisation, had a proven track record of supporting militant extremism, not just within the borders of Afghanistan but beyond, Mr Nur pointed out. He explained: ‘Nobody needs reminding of how the Taliban’s first regime, 1996 to 2001, allowed al-Qaeda to prepare, plot and launch attacks against the West from within Afghanistan, most tragically the 9/11 attacks of 2001. ‘Since regaining power in 2021 the Taliban continued the same pattern of behaviour, even allowing al-Qaeda to return to Kabul under Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader who replaced Osama bin Laden.’ The decision flew in the face of assurances by Taliban leaders that they would not permit international terrorists to operate on Afghan soil, Mr Nur stressed. The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 He said: ‘Our sources tell us the Taliban is actively involved with at least 22 international terrorist groups. “Some of these operate within Afghanistan, some across the border in regional neighbours such as Uzbekistan. ‘But we are convinced the Taliban represents a clear and present danger to the entire world, with its toleration of extremism that we know seeks to attack and destroy the most high-profile targets. ‘The developed West, with its modernity, freedoms and inclusivity, knows full well it is the target of this sort of backward looking hatred.’ The internationally-recognised Islamic Republic of Afghanistan collapsed after the Taliban seized Kabul in August 2021, and no nation has yet established formal diplomatic ties with its successor, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Ayman al-Zawahiri, the man who replaced Osman bin Laden as al-Qaeda’s leader Legitimising the Taliban through any sort of international recognition would represent a betrayal of the principles, values and morals of the developed world, Mr Nur added. He continued: ‘The greatest achievements of modern development – the creation of nation states built on cooperation not coercion, willing productive participation of the many not repression by the few – would be denied to 40 million Afghans. ‘It would create a cruel double standard where a commitment to liberty and rights would be shown up not as fundamental principle but as a meaningless slogan. ‘And it would be a short-term solution that guarantees a long-term disaster.’ Atta Muhammad Nur has warned the West against “legitimising” the Taliban Trending