Setami Milli
Encyclopedia
Setami Milli was a political movement in Afghanistan, led by Tahir Badakhshi
. The organization was affiliated with the Non-Aligned Movement
, and was opposed by both the Afghan monarchy and by the leftist People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan
.
On February 14, 1979, the United States Ambassador to Afghanistan
Adolph Dubs
was kidnapped by four armed militants belonging to the Setami Milli party posing as police. The kidnappers demanded the release of Badruddin Bahes, the imprisoned leader of their party. The government of Hafizullah Amin
denied holding Bahes, and refused categorically to negotiate with the militants, in spite of the US embassy's demands. Dubs was held in Room 117 of the Kabul Hotel (now called Kabul Serena Hotel
). Afghan security forces and Russian advisers swarmed the hallway and surrounding rooftops, but negotiations stalled. Shortly after 12:30 p.m., an exchange of gunfire started between the terrorists and the Afghan security forces, and the ambassador was killed.http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm
During the Taraki
-Amin
period, the Setamis withdrew to the Afghan countryside, though as an urban movement this removed them from their powerbase. During the 1979-1986 rule of communist president Babrak Karmal
, the Setamis became closer with the government, partially as Karmal had been personal friend of Badakhshi (who had been killed in 1979). A Setami leader, Bashir Baghlani
, went over to the government in 1983, and was made Minister of Justice.
The Setamis continued to play a prominent role among the non-Pashtun northeastern Afghan militias, playing a part in Mahsud
's defeat at Shahr-i Bozorg in 1990.
Tahir Badakhshi
Mohammad Tahir Badakhshi was a cultural and political tajik activist in Afghanistan. He was the founder of SAZA .- Biography :...
. The organization was affiliated with the Non-Aligned Movement
Non-Aligned Movement
The Non-Aligned Movement is a group of states considering themselves not aligned formally with or against any major power bloc. As of 2011, the movement had 120 members and 17 observer countries...
, and was opposed by both the Afghan monarchy and by the leftist People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan
People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan
The People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan was a communist party established on the 1 January 1965. While a minority, the party helped former president of Afghanistan, Mohammed Daoud Khan, to overthrow his cousin, Mohammed Zahir Shah, and established Daoud's Republic of Afghanistan...
.
On February 14, 1979, the United States Ambassador to Afghanistan
United States Ambassador to Afghanistan
The United States Ambassador to Afghanistan is the official representative of the President of the United States to the head of state of Afghanistan....
Adolph Dubs
Adolph Dubs
Adolph "Spike" Dubs was the United States Ambassador to Afghanistan from May 13, 1978 until his death in 1979. He was killed in an exchange of fire after a kidnapping attempt.-Career:...
was kidnapped by four armed militants belonging to the Setami Milli party posing as police. The kidnappers demanded the release of Badruddin Bahes, the imprisoned leader of their party. The government of Hafizullah Amin
Hafizullah Amin
Hafizullah Amin was the second President of Afghanistan during the period of the communist Democratic Republic of Afghanistan....
denied holding Bahes, and refused categorically to negotiate with the militants, in spite of the US embassy's demands. Dubs was held in Room 117 of the Kabul Hotel (now called Kabul Serena Hotel
Serena Hotel
-Overview:The Serena Hotels Group is one of 96 companies that makes up the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development , the for-profit arm of the Aga Khan Development Network . The Group trades under the name Tourism Promotion Services . The company is listed on the Nairobi Stock Exchange , where it...
). Afghan security forces and Russian advisers swarmed the hallway and surrounding rooftops, but negotiations stalled. Shortly after 12:30 p.m., an exchange of gunfire started between the terrorists and the Afghan security forces, and the ambassador was killed.http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm
During the Taraki
Nur Muhammad Taraki
Nur Muhammad Taraki was an Afghan politician and statesman during the Cold War. Taraki was born near Kabul and educated at Kabul University, after which he started his political career as a journalist...
-Amin
Hafizullah Amin
Hafizullah Amin was the second President of Afghanistan during the period of the communist Democratic Republic of Afghanistan....
period, the Setamis withdrew to the Afghan countryside, though as an urban movement this removed them from their powerbase. During the 1979-1986 rule of communist president Babrak Karmal
Babrak Karmal
Babrak Karmal was the third President of Afghanistan during the period of the communist Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. He is the best known of the Marxist leadership....
, the Setamis became closer with the government, partially as Karmal had been personal friend of Badakhshi (who had been killed in 1979). A Setami leader, Bashir Baghlani
Bashir Baghlani
Bashir Baghlani was an Afghan political figure affiliated with a variety of factions throughout the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s, who filled such positions as governor of Baghlan Province and later Farah Province.-Early life:...
, went over to the government in 1983, and was made Minister of Justice.
The Setamis continued to play a prominent role among the non-Pashtun northeastern Afghan militias, playing a part in Mahsud
Mahsud
Mahsud is a Pashtun tribe in South Waziristan, a tribal region in Pakistan. Mahsud are considered to be one of the bravest and toughest Pashtun Tribes. The Mahsud tribe lives in the centre of South Waziristan valley, surrounded on three sides by the Darwesh Waziris, and being shut off by the...
's defeat at Shahr-i Bozorg in 1990.