source YOUTUBEIn the wake of Osama bin Laden's death, a group of Taliban fighters say they're undeterred. In an amateur video, men aremed with rifles and rocket launchers vow to continue their holy war against U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan. It's unclear whether there are direct links between the Taliban and bin Laden's al Qaeda organization.
In an amateur video obtained in southern Afghanistan on Friday (May 6), armed men claiming to be Taliban fighters say they will continue their jihad--or holy war--undeterred by the death of Osama bin Laden in neighboring Pakistan.
The authenticity of the video has not been verified.
The Taliban fighters are shown in front of a high stone wall--standing with weapons like grenade launchers and assault rifles.
[Unnamed Taliban Fighter]:
"The martyrdom of Osama Bin Laden is not going to affect our strategy and it will not stop us from our goal. We will continue with our jihad and sacrifice against infidels until Judgment Day and we will avenge our martyrs."
Another fighter asserts that Osama bin Laden's death will inspire the Taliban.
[Unnamed Taliban Fighter]:
"Even if the news of Osama bin Laden's martyrdom is true it will not change our jihad policy--because if it is true that he is dead it will give us more motivation to continue our Jihad."
A third fighter, holding a radio along with his assault rifle, seems to be the leader of the group.
[Unnamed Taliban Fighter]:
"We will continue our jihad against the foreign forces. Our slogan is Allahu Akbar. Our holy Koran says that we have responsibility to our country and religion to defend and protect it, even if one Mujahedeen fighter is alive in Afghanistan we'll continue our Jihad under the leadership of his Excellency Mullah Omar."
Links between the Taliban and al Qaeda are unclear--although the Taliban led by Mullah Omar did provide a safe-haven for Osama bin Laden and his associates for many years. But that was before the U.S. arrived--back when the strict Islamists ruled over large parts of Afghanistan. While al Qaeda is focused on a global campaign of jihad, the Taliban's struggle is more targeted at overthrowing the Western-backed governments in teh region.
