Gen. Sami Sadat, head of the United Front of Afghanistan, has called on the United States, NATO and other countries to provide “political” support following reports of the group’s armed activities in Kandahar, saying his forces are fighting not only the Taliban but also al-Qaida, Islamic State and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Axar.az reports, citing The Kabul Tribune, the United Front, led by Sadat, a former Afghan army general, said it had launched its armed activities from Kandahar. In a video, the group claimed it attacked Taliban forces along the Kandahar-Spin Boldak road on July 30.

Following reports about the group’s activities, Sadat released a nine-minute video message early Sunday, Aug. 2, in which he thanked the United States, NATO and other countries for supporting Afghanistan in 2001 and called for renewed political backing.

“We do not want your soldiers, and we do not want bases from you for our country. We have the means to fight the Taliban, but at this stage, we want your political support,” Sadat said.

He said the group was fighting not only the Taliban but also al-Qaida, Islamic State, TTP and other militant groups operating in Afghanistan.

Sadat said his forces would observe international laws in their fight against the Taliban, adding that they would not seek permission from any other country to carry out their activities.

“We only want our freedom. We call on the international community to stand on the right side of history,” he said.

Sadat also called for an end to international efforts to engage in dialogue with the Taliban, saying the process should be considered a failure. He described the group’s fight as a struggle for freedom and said Afghans were a freedom-loving people.

The United Front of Afghanistan was established in the United States in October 2023 under Sadat’s leadership. The group has so far primarily engaged in political activities, and the reported attack in Kandahar marks the first time sources affiliated with the group have claimed an armed operation against the Taliban.