HERAT, Afghanistan — Taliban fighters have no choice but to hide among civilians while they fight foreign troops in Afghanistan and they accept their relatives may become victims of their holy war, a Taliban commander said yesterday.
Mullah Mahmoud also said 60 percent of Taliban fighters were from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other countries.
US and NATO-led forces say Taliban fighters hide in Afghan homes to deliberately increase civilian casualties.
“There is truth in this to some extent, but what can Talibs do? Should they just let themselves be killed by Americans?” Mahmoud said.