Honoring the Martyrs: Supporting Afghanistan’s Armed Forces and Their Families

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

The most respected families of the martyrs of the Afghan National Army and the pride of this nation; dear soldiers, respected non-commissioned officers, honorable officers, esteemed generals, honorable cabinet ministers, the Chief of General Staff, the Minister of Defense, the Chairman of the Ulema Council, and my distinguished elder brother, Mr. Muslimyar! Peace, mercy, and the blessings of Allah be upon you all!

Today, we take pride in our soldiers; we take pride in those heroes who laid down their lives for the protection of this homeland, its independence, and the safety of its people, attaining the exalted station of martyrdom. May Allah (SWT) grant them paradise, and we wish great patience for their families!

The Army as a Family and the Promise of Housing

The Army is not merely an institution; the Army is a family. Caring for every martyr and every wounded soldier is the duty of the entire Army, and specifically my own duty and responsibility. Their sacrifice was not for a single village, province, or generation; they embraced altruism and martyrdom because they believed that Afghanistan could emerge from decades of crisis, and that their children, grandchildren, and future generations would live in this land with comfort, unity, and pride. Thank you, martyrs; thank you, soldiers; thank you, NCOs; thank you, generals!

On behalf of the entire nation and the State, and in my capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to them, their respected families, and all personnel of the Army, Police, and National Security! Giving these houses as a gift is but a small step, as hundreds of other families also deserve this.

It is my commitment that in the housing programs of the next three years, the families of the martyrs of the defense and security forces will be the priority. First you, then all civilians. These 14 apartment units handed over to the rightful recipients today serve as the first installment of this grand program.

Reforms, Anti-Corruption, and Reducing Casualties

Taking care of and protecting the soldiers, NCOs, and all guardians of the homeland—who stand in the trenches of defense in the mountains and deserts—is my most important obligation.

To achieve this care, fundamental changes have occurred over the past two years. For example, I have personally paid special attention to the Procurement Commission of the Ministry of Defense. In the last six months, 700 individuals in the Ministry of Defense who had held their positions for over three years have been transferred, and further work is needed. Corruption causes casualties to increase, and corruption that leads to an increase in casualties is unacceptable to me, unacceptable to the soldiers of the Army, and unacceptable to our fellow citizens!

It is necessary to consider all measures that help in reducing casualties. As the Chief of General Staff mentioned, last week in the meeting of the High Command—attended by the Ministers of Defense and Interior—we had a comprehensive discussion on preventing casualties and made several decisions. For instance, if soldiers do not use their helmets, clothing, and other necessary equipment, the probability of casualties increases. Therefore, I have directed that serious attention must be paid to the equipment of the defense and security forces; no negligence in this area is acceptable.

Medical Excellence and Public Support

I must express my gratitude to General Siavash and his colleagues at the Sardar Mohammad Daoud Khan Hospital, who pay serious attention to the treatment of the wounded and are in service of the patients twenty-four hours a day. We fundamentally changed the Procurement Law so that the best medicine is provided to our heroes, not the cheapest. Cheap medicine is not acceptable to us.

The people of Afghanistan, like their ancestors, stand with great fortitude alongside their defense and security forces. We can say with confidence that in the last hundred years, more people support their forces now than at any other time. I thank my people, and this consensus must transform into a reality where this force remains absolutely professional, national, and equipped with Islamic values. Small politics, discrimination, and disputes have no place in our heroic Army. We want a professional Army; we want a national Army! On the day you put on this sacred uniform—whether you are Nuristani, Pamiri, Tajik, Pashtun, Hazara, or Uzbek—you are then only and only Afghan and Muslim. We have prepared a plan for further positive change in this area and, Inshallah, we will implement it.

National Sovereignty and a Message to the Enemy

Our nation welcomed the Warsaw Conference; however, the success of that conference was earned through the blood of the heroic personnel of the Armed Forces, especially the Afghan National Army. It was by the blessing of our martyrs that the world renewed its covenant with Afghanistan. This is your pride, and it is my honor.

Today, the soldier, the NCO, the officer, the general, and all security and defense personnel serve this soil and homeland with one voice. My message to the enemies of Afghanistan is clear: two years ago and last year, you made a wrong calculation; do not repeat your miscalculation. If you look upon this soil with evil intent, it will be your grave. This homeland was not gifted to us by anyone other than Allah (SWT). We have earned it with our blood over thousands of years, and we will protect it with our blood for thousands of years to come.

Yashasin Afghanistan! (Long live Afghanistan!) Tal de wi Afghanistan! (May Afghanistan last forever!) Zenda bad Afghanistan! (Long live Afghanistan!)

May our security and defense forces endure, may the memory of our martyrs be cherished, and let us renew our vow for the comprehensive care of the families of martyrs, who are an inseparable part of the family of the Afghan National Army. May you be well!