For the past two days, reports have been appearing in some local and international media outlets, originating from the rumors spread by the enemy that in Sarwan Kalla of Sangin district, Helmand province, local people along with the Mujahideen have reached a ceasefire with the enemy. They say, that they have agreed to avoid attacking the enemy in the area.

The rumors are being disseminated by Gulab Mangal – Helmand province governor who has been nominated by the Americans—in a time that the jihad activities of the Mujahideen in Sangin district like operations of Mujahideen in other parts of the Helmand province, are in full swing and are continuing unremittingly. Then what would be the motive of the enemy behind such fatuous claims of ceasefire? In our view, the enemy is weary of the war now and facing defeat at the battle field. Therefore, they want to erect an illusive pillar to support its stance and give empty hopes of victory to soldiers who are now sagging from exhaustion and fatigues.

Time and again, the enemy spread rumors about areas which are inaccessible to media. Previously, the enemy had claimed that Mujahideen had executed a ten years old boy in the same locality of the Sangin district. But subsequent investigation proved the claim to be a mere baseless allegation. The local leaders of the Islamic Emirate made investigation about this event. They did not come across any incident in Helmand or in the said area to indicate the Mujahideen or the local people have reached a deal with the enemy. Therefore, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan refutes these baseless claims of the enemy. Those media outlets which have published the report or are publishing it now, commit violation of journalistic code.

The common Afghans and mainstream media outlets should take their precaution as regards the enemy’s propaganda. The enemy now only relies on hypes. It resorts to disseminating some fatuous and unbelievable reports every day and week, so our astute people and the Mujahideen should not allow the enemy to succeed in these schemes.

Qari Yousuf Ahmadi

Spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan