Mohammad Yunus Khalis: A Key Figure in the Soviet-Afghan War

Introduction

Mohammad Yunus Khalis (c. 1919 – 19 July 2006) was a prominent mujahideen commander in Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan War. He led the Hezb-i-Islami Khalis party, which is often distinguished from Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s faction by the suffix “Khalis.” Known for his deep-rooted influence in Afghan politics and military operations, Khalis played a crucial role during one of the most tumultuous periods in Afghanistan’s history.

Early Life and Education Of Mohammad Yunus Khalis

Born in the Khogyani District of Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan, Khalis belonged to the Khogyani tribe of Pashtuns. He pursued his education in Islamic law and theology at the Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora Khattak, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. His education shaped his conservative vision of Islamic society, which would later influence his political strategies.

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Political Rise

Khalis’s political career began after the overthrow of King Zahir Shah by Daoud Khan in 1973. He openly criticized Daoud’s administration in a book, prompting his exile to Pakistan in 1974. While in Pakistan, he initially joined Hekmatyar’s Islamic Party (Hezb-e Islami), but following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, he broke away to form his own faction, Hezb-e Islami Khalis. Unlike many other mujahideen leaders, Khalis relied more on tribal support than purely religious backing to rally followers in Nangarhar against the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan.

Role in the Soviet-Afghan War

Throughout the Soviet-Afghan War, Khalis frequently entered Afghanistan to lead his forces against Soviet troops and their Afghan allies. His party attracted several prominent mujahideen commanders, including Abdul Haq, Amin Wardak, Faisal Babakarkhail, and Jalaluddin Haqqani. In 1987, Khalis met with U.S. President Ronald Reagan, who expressed support for the mujahideen and praised Afghanistan as a “nation of heroes.”

Post-War Influence

Following the fall of the Communist regime in 1992, Khalis became a member of the Leadership Council (Shura-ye Qiyaadi) of the interim Islamic State government but held no significant official position. Instead, he chose to remain in Nangarhar, where his party maintained control over large parts of the province. When the Taliban seized control of Nangarhar in September 1996, Khalis initially supported their movement and maintained close ties with Taliban commanders.

In the late 1990s, Khalis lived in Pakistan, but after the Taliban’s fall in 2001, his supporters regained influence in Jalalabad. Although he did not hold an official position, his presence remained significant, especially as two of his close associates, Haji Abdul Qadir and Haji Din Mohammad, served as governors of Nangarhar Province.

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Personal Life and Death

Khalis’s personal life drew attention for its complexity; Steve Coll described him as “an octogenarian who took teenage wives.” His legacy continued through his sons, Anwar ul Haq Mujahid and Matiul Haq Khalis, with Anwar ul Haq leading the insurgent Tora Bora Military Front. Mohammad Yunus Khalis passed away on 19 July 2006, leaving behind a mixed legacy intertwined with Afghanistan’s tumultuous history.

Publications

In addition to his military and political endeavors, Khalis was a prolific author, writing essays and poetry in both Pashto and Dari. His notable works include:

• Pashto:
  • Dīnī Malghalirī (1957) – Fundamentals of Islam.
  • Damūnah aw Dāne (2002) – A collection of Pashto poetry.
  • Da Islāmī ʻālam nan aw parūn (2002) – A collection of articles edited by Abd al-Hādī Mulākhel.
• Dari:
  • Islām va ʻAdālat-i Ijtimāʻī (1958) – A translation from Arabic of Sayyid Qutb’s Social Justice in Islam.

Conclusion

Mohammad Yunus Khalis was a significant figure in Afghanistan’s modern history, known for his leadership during the Soviet-Afghan War and his political influence in subsequent years. His legacy reflects the complexities of Afghan politics and the enduring impact of tribal affiliations in a country shaped by decades of conflict.