Jump to content

Republican insurgency in Afghanistan: Difference between revisions

Page extended-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→Foreign involvement: Reverted disruptive edits, see talk page
Line 202: Line 202:
===Pro-Taliban===
===Pro-Taliban===


⚫
According to an ''[[India Today]]'' report, the former [[Samangan Province|Samangan]] MP Zia Arianjad said on 6 September that defending resistance forces had been bombed by [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drones]] of the [[Pakistan Air Force]] using [[smart bombs]] and claimed that Pakistan's [[Special Service Group|special forces]] assisted the Taliban in attacking the resistance.<ref name="Hindustan Times Pak Special Forces involvement">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=6 September 2021|title=Panjshir: Pak Air Force dropped bombs via drones to help Taliban, say reports|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/world-news/panjshir-pakistan-air-force-dropped-bombs-via-drones-to-help-taliban-say-reports-afghanistan-101630909614845.html|newspaper=Hindustan Times}}</ref> ''[[The Week]]'' cited defence analyst [[Babak Taghvaee]] and Panjshir governor [[Kamaluddin Nezami]] stating that drones had attacked the NRF, with Taghvaee attributing responsibility to the Pakistani Air Force. These claims of Pakistan support were denied by both the Taliban<ref name="week06092021" /> and Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite news|others=PTI|date=2021-09-10|title=Pakistan rejects reports alluding to its involvement in Panjshir Valley offensive|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-rejects-reports-alluding-to-its-involvement-in-panjshir-valley-offensive/article36395108.ece|access-date=2021-09-10|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
Pakistan's Interior minister [[Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad]] on 1 September said in an interview with ''Hum News'' that "All top Taliban leaders were born and brought up in Pakistan. This has been our 'service' that we trained them and many more might be studying."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pakistan-minister-says-top-taliban-leaders-born-and-trained-in-pak-101630559079232.html|title=Pakistan minister says top Taliban leaders 'born and trained' in Pak|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=2 September 2021}}</ref>

⚫
According to an ''[[India Today]]'' report, the former [[Samangan Province|Samangan]] MP Zia Arianjad said on 6 September that defending resistance forces had been bombed by [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drones]] of the [[Pakistan Air Force]] using [[smart bombs]]. Pakistan's [[Special Service Group|special forces]] assisted the Taliban in attacking the resistance.<ref name="Hindustan Times Pak Special Forces involvement">{{cite news |last= |first= |date=6 September 2021|title=Panjshir: Pak Air Force dropped bombs via drones to help Taliban, say reports|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/world-news/panjshir-pakistan-air-force-dropped-bombs-via-drones-to-help-taliban-say-reports-afghanistan-101630909614845.html|newspaper=Hindustan Times}}</ref> ''[[The Week]]'' cited defence analyst [[Babak Taghvaee]] and Panjshir governor [[Kamaluddin Nezami]] stating that drones had attacked the NRF, with Taghvaee attributing responsibility to the Pakistani Air Force. These claims of Pakistan support were denied by both the Taliban<ref name="week06092021" /> and Pakistan.<ref>{{Cite news|others=PTI|date=2021-09-10|title=Pakistan rejects reports alluding to its involvement in Panjshir Valley offensive|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/pakistan-rejects-reports-alluding-to-its-involvement-in-panjshir-valley-offensive/article36395108.ece|access-date=2021-09-10|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>


NRF officials said that journalist and NRF spokesperson [[Fahim Dashti]] was killed on 6 September in Anaba district in a clash including an attack by [[Pakistan Air Force#Drone technology|Pakistan Air Force drones]].<ref name="Tolo_Fahim_Dashti_killed" /> A statement released by the Tajik Embassy in Germany on 8 September suggested that the Taliban received some help from unnamed countries to bomb Panjshir.<ref>https://mfa.tj/en/berlin/view/8562/participation-of-the-minister-of-foreign-affairs-in-a-virtual-meeting-on-afghanistan</ref>
NRF officials said that journalist and NRF spokesperson [[Fahim Dashti]] was killed on 6 September in Anaba district in a clash including an attack by [[Pakistan Air Force#Drone technology|Pakistan Air Force drones]].<ref name="Tolo_Fahim_Dashti_killed" /> A statement released by the Tajik Embassy in Germany on 8 September suggested that the Taliban received some help from unnamed countries to bomb Panjshir.<ref>https://mfa.tj/en/berlin/view/8562/participation-of-the-minister-of-foreign-affairs-in-a-virtual-meeting-on-afghanistan</ref>

Revision as of 23:38, 11 September 2021

Not to be confused with Panjshir offensives (Soviet–Afghan War).
Panjshir conflict
Part of the Afghanistan conflict (1978–present)
Date17 August 2021[8] – present
(3 years, 2 months, 2 weeks and 2 days)
Location
Panjshir, Parwan, Baghlan, Wardak, and Daykundi provinces, Afghanistan
Status Ongoing
Territorial
changes		 Taliban captures most of Panjshir Valley[9][10]
Belligerents
 Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA)
al-Qaeda (alleged)[1]
Supported by:
 Pakistan (alleged)[2][3]

 Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Commanders and leaders
Afghanistan Hibatullah Akhundzada
Afghanistan Mohammad Yaqoob
Afghanistan Abdul Ghani Baradar
Afghanistan Qari Fasihuddin[11]
Afghanistan Maulawi Mohammed Faruq[12]
Afghanistan Maulvi Hidayatullah Badar[13]		 Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh
Afghanistan Ahmad Massoud
Afghanistan Bismillah Khan
Afghanistan Ahmad Zia Massoud[14]
Afghanistan Yasin Zia[15]
Afghanistan Fahim Dashty †[16]
Afghanistan Hamid Saifi[17]
Afghanistan Abdul Wadud †[16]
Afghanistan Saleh Mohammed Raigistani †[18]
Afghanistan Munib Amiri †[19]
Gul Haider Khan †[19]
Units involved

Islamic Defence Force of Afghanistan

Various pro-Taliban militias

Pakistan Armed Forces (alleged)[2]

National Resistance Front of Afghanistan[4]

Independent Republican militias

  • Militia in Wardak and Daikundi[5][6]
  • Other militias around Panjshir[21]
Strength
60,000–260,000 in Taliban armed forces, unknown how many were fighting.

2,000–10,000 (Panjshir resistance; estimates)[22]

  • c. 9,000 (Ahmad Massoud's forces; self-claim)[21]
Unknown number of independent militias[21]
Casualties and losses
NRF claim:
950+ killed, 1000+ captured[23][24][25][26]		 Heavy casualties[27]
IEA claims: Large number of POWs, vehicles and weapons also captured

The Panjshir conflict is an ongoing armed conflict between the formerly dominant Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, including the National Resistance Front and other groups,[5] and the newly dominant Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan which is controlled by the Taliban.[28] On 17 August 2021, Amrullah Saleh assumed the Afghan presidency and declared the resistance.[29][30] On 26 August, a brief ceasefire was declared.[31] On 1 September, talks broke down and fighting resumed as the Taliban attacked resistance positions.[32]

As of 3 September 2021, in addition to the opposition in the Panjshir, there are also districts in the centre of Afghanistan that are still in resistance against the Taliban, supported by ethnic and religious minorities.[33]

On 6 September, the Taliban took control of most of the Panjshir province, with resistance fighters retreating to the mountains to continue fighting within the province.[10][34]

Background

Main article: War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Further information: 2021 Taliban offensive
Military situation of Afghanistan in 2000, with the Northern Alliance (blue) and other factions including Hazaras (blue striped) resisting the Taliban (red).

Historically, the Panjshir Valley was known for its natural defences. Surrounded by the Hindu Kush mountains, Panjshir never fell to the Soviets during the invasion of the 1980s nor to the Taliban during the civil war of the early 1990s. In the war of 1996–2001, Panjshir was a center of the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance.[20] In these conflicts, Panjshir was under the leadership of Ahmad Shah Massoud who was killed by a suicide bomber in 2001. Soon after, the United States invasion of Afghanistan resulted in the overthrow of the previously dominant, Taliban-led Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and the eventual establishment of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.[35] Massoud and his family remained highly respected in Panjshir in the next two decades.[12]

The traditional anti-Taliban sentiment of the Panjshiris has an ethnic dimension: A majority of the population of the Panjshir Valley are ethnic Tajik people, while the majority of the Taliban are Pashtuns.[20] However, these ethnic differences became less pronounced in course of the Taliban insurgency, as the Taliban began to recruit Tajiks and even Panjshiris into their ranks.[12][20]

In 2021, the Taliban overran most of Afghanistan in a lightning offensive; Panjshir Province was the only area which was able to resist until the offensive's conclusion.[12] However, the valley's ability to withstand future Taliban assaults was hampered by it being cut off from outside support. In the 1980s and 1990s, Panjshir's forces had been able to keep supply lines to Tajikistan open. These were not accessible in the 2021 conflict, as the Taliban had successfully taken most of northern Afghanistan.[36] Regardless, the former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan initially continued to exercise de facto control over the Panjshir Valley, which was described by the The Week as "the only region out of [the] Taliban's hands" as of August 2021.[37] Former loyalists to the old republic fled to Panjshir, hoping to transform it into an anti-Taliban stronghold.[35][36]

Saleh and Massoud announcements

On 17 August 2021, Saleh—citing provisions of the Constitution of Afghanistan—declared himself President of Afghanistan from the Panjshir Valley, and vowed to continue military operations against the Taliban from there.[38] His claim to the presidency was endorsed by Ahmad Massoud and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Minister of Defence Bismillah Khan Mohammadi along with the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Dushanbe.[38][15] On 23 August 2021, Massoud made contact with unnamed American lawmakers.[39]

Disposition of forces

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and anti-Taliban militias

Main article: National Resistance Front of Afghanistan
Amrullah Saleh
Ahmad Massoud

Prior to the fall of Kabul, Panjshiris began moving military equipment from surrounding areas, including helicopters and armored vehicles, into Panjshir Province.[40] There, they were joined by Afghan National Army commanders and soldiers, including commandos,[40][41] ex-Mujahideen who had previously served Ahmad Massoud's late father, Ahmad Shah Massoud, and other anti-Taliban activists.[17] Most of them regrouped at Baghlan Province's Andarab District before moving to Panjshir after making their escape from Kunduz, Badakhshan, Takhar, and Baghlan.[35] According to a Russian estimate, the disparate Anti-Taliban forces had approximately 7,000 personnel under arms as of mid August 2021.[42] Other estimates place this number as low as 2,000, though Saleh himself claims 10,000 men under arms.[22] By 22 August 2021, Ahmad Massoud claimed to have gathered about 9,000 fighters and at least a "handful of armoured humvees" in the valley.[21]

There are differences between the forces loyal to Saleh and those loyal to Ahmad Massoud, as the former is hardcore anti-Taliban and anti-Pakistani, whereas the latter maintained good relations with Pakistan which was supportive of the Taliban. As a result, Massoud was more willing to negotiate with the Taliban.[21] By 22 August, the resistance also confirmed that several local militias had begun to fight the Taliban on their own, independent of the Panjshir-based forces.[21] According to Yasin Zia, the resistance has already secured access to five helicopters formerly used by the Afghan military.[43]

On 23 August, it was reported that BM-21 Grads were acquired as a part of its arsenal.[39]

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Main articles: Islamic Defence Force of Afghanistan and Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan § Military

An estimate by the Combating Terrorism Center at the US Military Academy made prior to the fall of Kabul estimated the strength of the Taliban, throughout the whole of Afghanistan, at 60,000 armed cadre supported by up to 200,000 irregulars.[44] Due to the rapid capitulation of the Afghan National Army, the Taliban have since acquired substantial materiel of US manufacture, including armored vehicles and combat aircraft.[45] The Taliban remain a movement consisting of many different sub-groups whose aims, strategies, beliefs, and loyalties vary.[46]

Timeline

Emergence of Panjshir resistance and first anti-Taliban revolts

Military situation of Afghanistan at the start of the conflict.

Around 17 August 2021, remnants of the Afghan National Army began massing in the Panjshir Valley at the urging of Massoud,[37][47] along with local civilians who had responded to his mobilization calls.[48] At the time, the Panjshir Valley was—according to one observer—"under siege on all sides" but had not come under direct attack.[49] On 18 August, the number of admissions for war injuries was increasing at the Emergency Surgical Centre for War Victims in Anaba in Panjshir.[50][51] By 22 August, Ahmad Massoud's forces were mostly focused on defending Panjshir as well as training.[21]

On 17 August, a negotiated end to the political impasse had been attempted, with Saleh calling for a "peace deal" with the Taliban.[40][52] On 18 August, the possibility of including the Taliban in a coalition government was raised by a top Afghan diplomat as a means of ending the stalemate.[53]

On 18 August, local sources from Parwan Province reported that Saleh's forces had taken Charikar from Taliban fighters stationed in the area.[35][54] In addition, there are reports of gunfights taking place near Salang Pass.[55][35] On the following day, videos were released which showcased local fighters with flags of the old, anti-Taliban Northern Alliance parading through the streets of Charikar.[36]

class=notpageimage|
Approximate locations of fighting, August 17–23

On 20 August, anti-Taliban fighters reportedly recaptured Andarab, Puli Hisar and Dih Salah districts in Baghlan Province with the Taliban claiming 15 of its soldiers had been killed, while other sources reported that up to 60 Taliban fighters were killed or injured,[56][57][58] and two dozen captured. The three districts had reportedly experienced a revolt, led by a local police chief, after Taliban had conducted unpopular house-to-house searches.[59] Bismillah Khan Mohammadi announced the operational success of the districts being recaptured via Twitter.[60]

Audiovisual reports of the events circulated on social media[56] and were reported by Pajhwok Afghan News. Later on the 20th, it was reported that the forces, led by Abdul Hamid Dadgar, had recaptured Andarab, though the Taliban had not yet commented.[61]

On 21 August, it was reported that Panjshir representatives were meeting with Abdullah Abdullah and Hamid Karzai, members of the Coordination Council, to "discuss the current situation and ways of providing security to Afghans".[62]

A source within the Panjshir resistance consequently confirmed their involvement in the operations in Baghlan Province, and stated that they planned on seizing a northern highway which could allow them to link up with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.[36] Taliban social media accounts called the counteroffensive a "betrayal" of the amnesty the Taliban had offered.[63] It was reported on 22 August 2021 that Taliban fighters had been sent to the Keshnabad area of Andarab in order to kidnap the children of anti-Taliban forces.[64]

As of 18 August 2021, Islamic Republic forces were reportedly battling the Islamic Emirate for the Salang Pass (pictured 2005).

On 22 August, the Russian Embassy in Afghanistan was reportedly asked by a Taliban representative to reach out to Panjshir-based leaders to possibly mediate.[65] Meanwhile, resistance spokesman Ali Maisam Nazary informed the Agence France-Presse that Ahmad Massoud's group would prefer a peaceful resolution of the conflict, under the condition that a future government implemented a system of "decentralisation" and "equal rights" across the country.[21] On 23 August, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that while Taliban fighters are being sent to Panjshir, the Taliban are willing to seek peaceful means to end the conflict.[66]

Also, the Islamic Emirate gave the opposition forces a four-hour ultimatum to surrender.[67] In a statement to Al Arabiya, Massoud rejected the ultimatum.[67] In response, the IEA announced "hundreds" of its forces had been dispatched to the Panjshir Valley.[68] It was reported on 23 August that talks between Taliban representatives and Panjshir leaders did not work.[69] Ali Maisam Nazary, spokesman for the resistance, said that the Taliban made demands for Massoud to accept no elections with a centralized government, which Massoud rejected as he wanted a future government to be decentralized, with respect for civil and semi-autonomy rights.[39]

An unidentified Taliban spokesperson proclaimed in a statement that "hundreds of Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate are heading towards the state of Panjshir to control it, after local state officials refused to hand it over peacefully".[70] It was reported that on 23 August, Taliban commander Qari Fashihuddin was tasked to lead offensive operations in Panjshir.[71] The Taliban reported that several of their fighters were killed and others wounded in ambushes in Jabal Siraj.[71]

On 23 August, the Taliban claimed to have recaptured all 3 districts in Baghlan that fell to the resistance forces a week ago: Dih Salah District, Pul-e-Hisar and Andarab.[72] A Taliban district chief stationed in Andarab was reported to be killed in the fighting.[73] On 24 August, Panjshir resistance fighters reportedly retook control of Banu and Dih Salah districts, while Puli Hisar remained under Taliban control.[74] Saleh publicly warned via Twitter that Taliban fighters in Andarab were blocking humanitarian assistance for civilians trying to escape from the fighting and called it a "humanitarian disaster".[75] On the following day, Massoud's forces claimed to have ambushed a Taliban convoy in Andarab, destroying a critical bridge and inflicting heavy losses on the Islamists.[17]

On 24 August, Major Wazir Akbar, an ex-Afghan commando who has joined the Panjshir-based resistance fighters, reported an attempted Taliban incursion at Anjuman Pass through Badakhshan province, which was repelled with heavy Taliban casualties.[76]

Ceasefire and sporadic clashes

On 26 August 2021, a ceasefire was declared with the Taliban and the resistance entering into talks.[31][77] Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that he was "80 percent confident of a solution without war in the Panjshir Valley".[78] On 29 August, Panjshir representatives stated that there were no Taliban fighters trying to enter Panjshir, refuting information from Anaamullah Samangani, who is a member of the Taliban's Cultural Commission.[79] On 1 September, it was reported that ceasefire talks failed.[80]

On 26 August, according to a video published by Global Defense Corp, heavy fighting broke out between anti-Taliban resistance group in Panjshir Valley and Taliban.[8][81] More than 200 Taliban fighters were driven out the Panjshir Valley and some were captured by anti-Taliban resistance group. The National Resistance Front (NRF) has also captured Pol-e-Hesar, Deh Salah and Banu districts.[82][83]

On 28 August, Panjshir fighters engaged Taliban fighters in Sanjan, Kapisa and in Khost Wa Fereng, Baghlan in response to allegations of ceasefire violations conducted by Taliban fighters in the area.[84]

On 29 August, internet and telecommunication services throughout Panjshir province were shut down on orders from the Taliban.[85][86]

On 30 August, Panjshir fighters ambushed Taliban fighters attempting to break into Panjshir from Andarab.[87]

Taliban offensive and revolts in central Afghanistan

Panjshir Valley, the center of the anti-Taliban resistance, has been described as being extremely difficult to conquer.[1]

On 31 August 2021, Taliban fighters commenced an offensive against the National Resistance Front in the provinces of Baghlan, Panjshir, and Parwan.[88][1] Anti-Taliban sources claimed that the offensive involved al-Qaeda troops, a statement backed by videos in which pro-Taliban fighters were heard speaking non-native or locally uncommon languages such as Arabic.[1] Sources reported that the offensive started when Taliban fighters were spotted entering Gulbahar and blocked the main road with a container.[88] Taliban forces retook Dih Saleh District in Baghlan, allowing them to directly attack Panjshir. An initial Taliban assault through Khawak Pass connecting the Baghlan and central Panjshir Provinces failed.[1][89] NRFA spokesperson Fahim Dashty said that the attack was likely done to test the area's defenses.[89] Taliban troops also began to attack southern Panjshir from Gulbahar, resulting in heavy fighting. Despite being numerically superior to the defenders, the Taliban failed to break through.[1]

On 1 September, a day after clashes at the entry points of the valley were reported, Mullah Amir Khan Motaqi, the head of the Taliban's commission for guidance & encouragement stated over a twitter audio message to the people of Panjshir that attempts at reaching a negotiated settlement were "unfortunately all in vain." He lay the blame with the leadership of the resistance in Panjshir, saying there are still some people in the valley who "don't want the problems to be solved peacefully."[90] He went on to say that Taliban has selected a native of the province as their desired governor.[91][90][92] Despite the Taliban shutdown of Panjshir's internet, Fahim Dashti, the spokesperson for the Panjshir Resistance managed to conduct an interview with BBC Persian, in which he stated that the negotiations failed because of a fundamental difference of goals between the two sides. According to him, Panjshir resistance had the intention of extracting commitments and guarantees protecting freedoms and human and political rights of ethnic and religious minorities as well as women, but Taliban's goal in the negotiation was not to negotiate such guarantees, but to negotiate the extent of participation of the Panjshir opposition in a Taliban-led government that would satisfy the resistance.[93]

On 2 September, Panjshir sources claimed that 13 Taliban fighters were killed in an ambush in Chikrinow district.[94] Even though the offensive had stalled by this point,[1] a Taliban spokesman said the valley was surrounded by all four directions and that a Panjshir resistance 'victory was impossible' as well as claiming Taliban territorial gains.[95] Meanwhile, the Taliban claimed to have pushed into the Shotul district of Panjshir, but provided no firm proof for this claim. Analysts[who?] judged that the Taliban had probably advanced for a short time before being pushed back again. A minor Taliban attack on Anjuman Pass in northern Panjshir was reportedly easily repelled by Afghan commandos. In addition, local anti-Taliban forces from Andarab claimed to have retaken the crucial Khawak Pass.[1]

Meanwhile, revolts had erupted in Wardak Province and Daikundi Province which are home to many Hazaras, an ethnic group which had been previously discriminated against by the Taliban.[6] The Taliban had begun reaching out to the Hazara community in the months leading up to their takeover, promising to respect their rights and traditions.[46] Accordingly, the situation in Wardak and Daikundi is complex, as local militia leaders had aided the Taliban takeover despite the disapproval of much of the population. In Daikundi's Khadir District, a revolt erupted as the pro-Taliban Hazara commander Muhammad Ali Sedaqat was ordered to disarm locals, with some fearing that the disarmament was not properly recorded and would expose locals to harassment by the Taliban. Fighting consequently broke out between the Taliban, pro-republic Hazaras, and pro-Taliban Hazaras.[5] Local militias began to ambush Taliban troops.[6]

By 4 September, Taliban forces had reached Anaba (pictured 2010).

On 3 September, the Taliban claimed to have captured Panjshir valley, however these claims were described as lies and propaganda by the local resistance leaders such as Saleh as well as international spectators.[96][97] A NRF spokesperson stated that the situation was "difficult", but also that a Taliban push into the valley had resulted in the encirclement of a few hundred Taliban fighters.[98] By the following day, heavy fighting was confirmed to be still continuing in the valley, with Paryan District reportedly being contested.[99] An Italian medical aid organisation operating in the area confirmed that the Taliban had advanced up to Anaba; the Taliban claimed to have seized the districts of Khenj and Unabah. The NRF countered by claiming that they had managed to encircle even more Taliban troops, now numbering thousands, at Khawak Pass and Dashte Rewak.[100] On 5 September, both sides achieved some successes: The NRF was able to force hundreds of encircled Taliban fighters to surrender in the valley, with the NRF claiming to have captured up to 1,500.[101] In turn, local journalists confirmed that the Taliban had taken both Rukha and Paryan Districts, while NRF spokesman Fahim Dashty was killed in combat. The Taliban also claimed to have advanced into Panjshir's capital Bazarak.[102] A The Times reporter who accompanied the Taliban testified that much of the valley appeared to be under Islamist control at this point, although groups of NRF fighters continued to strike at the Taliban behind the frontlines.[12] Massoud reacted to the Taliban advance by declaring on Facebook that he was endorsing offers by local religious leaders to negotiate a peaceful solution of the conflict.[101] Pakistani journalist and regional expert Ahmed Rashid argued that the Taliban had clearly expressed that they would not "tolerate what [Massoud is] asking for, which is a semi-autonomous region in the Panjshir Valley".[103] The Taliban leadership indeed rejected Massoud's negotiation offer, stating that it would only accept the NRF's surrender.[12]

On 6 September, after heavy fighting resulting in high losses on both sides, the Taliban captured the governor's office in Bazarak, and claimed control of the whole Panjshir Valley.[104] The remaining NRF troops had reportedly retreated into the mountains,[105][106][34] with the Taliban stating that many had fled the region.[107] An NRF official then claimed Massoud was at a safe location, while Saleh escaped to Tajikistan.[105][106][34] Ali Nazary, head of foreign affairs for the resistance group, said that Ahmed Massoud was still present inside Afghanistan.[104] The NRF contested the Taliban's conquest of Panjshir,[108] arguing that resistance fighters were still present in strategic positions in the valley, continuing their fight.[109][107][110]

By 7 September, many civilians from Panjshir Valley had fled into the mountains to escape the Taliban, while Massoud made defiant statements and called for a large-scale, nation-wide uprising. The Panjshir locals were also threatened by starvation, as local supply remained cut-off. The remaining NRF troops were reportedly still resisting the Taliban in some areas.[111][112] The NRF also claimed that the Taliban had begun to massacre local civilians.[113]

As of 9 September, OSINT evidence analyzed by Bellingcat researchers shows that the Taliban continue to advance, and control territory at least 60 kilometres (37 mi) into the valley.[114] The Taliban has placed the valley under siege, not allowing journalists or goods to enter, so the extent of their control is difficult to surmise.[114] Panjshir residents who were able to reach Kabul warned that supplies in the province are being exhausted due to the blockade.[115] NRF leader Ali Nazary claimed that the Taliban had not conquered all of Panjshir, but only the main road, which allowed them to capture nearby Bazarak as well. He stated that the resistance forces had made a tactical withdrawal from the main road, while retaining 60–65% of the sub-valleys and strategic positions under their control.[116] Mohammad Zahir Aghbar, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's ambassador to Tajikistan, meanwhile stated that Massoud and Saleh were still in Afghanistan but incommunicado for security reasons and had not fled to Tajikistan, contrary to earlier reports.[117]

By 10 September, the Taliban had captured the residence where Saleh had earlier been hiding and aired his latest video claiming he was still in Panjshir, with photos of a Taliban fighter posing at the same spot where Saleh had recorded the video, being posted on social media.[118] National Congress Party leader ​Abdul Latif Pedram meanwhile told TOLO News that NRF forces were present in all mountains of Panjshir. NRF commander Saleh Rigistani vowed that their forces will continue fighting, and added that the province was facing a shortage of food and medicinal supplies. Taliban Cultural Commission member Anaamullah Samangani however claimed that the NRF had no "public presence" in Panjshir and were hiding in caves and valleys, with talks for their surrender ongoing.[119] Saleh's son Shuresh later stated that his father's brother Rohullah Azizi, who had been fighting for the resistance, had been executed alongside his driver on 9 September by the Taliban, after being stopped at a checkpoint in Khanez village of Panjshir.[120]

Foreign involvement

Neutral

As of 23 August 2021, there was no public support for the resistance from the international community. At the start of the conflict, the US and other potential allies were focused on the concurrent Kabul airlift, which required the Taliban's cooperation. Massoud's op-ed in The Washington Post requesting Western support may be evidence of a lack of enthusiasm (for the resistance) in the US government.[121]

On 21 August, former Indian Chief of the Army Staff Shankar Roychowdhury said that the Government of India must reach out to Panjshir-based resistance forces alongside Taliban factions that may be friendly to India.[122]

Pro-NRF

On 25 August 2021, Bilal Y. Saab, an ex-Pentagon senior advisor, and Mick Mulroy, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East, Marine veteran and ex-CIA Special Activities Center operator, argued in a Time editorial that Washington DC should provide support in Afghanistan by allowing the CIA to station its officers with counterterrorism responsibilities to secretly assist anti-Taliban resistance groups.[123]

On 27 August, Tajiks from Kulob, Tajikistan have volunteered to prepare to fight against the Taliban, despite warnings from Tajik officials that it can be deemed illegal.[124]

In an interview made on 2 September, Erika Simpson, president of the Canadian Peace Research Association, said that it was potentially risky for a country to publicly support the resistance from inside Afghanistan and suggested that it was better to support anti-Taliban resistance groups based overseas.[125]

On 6 September, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Saeed Khatibzadeh strongly condemned the Taliban assault on the Panjshir Valley.[126] The spokesman also condemned all foreign interference in Afghanistan's internal affairs, indirectly suggesting Pakistani involvement in Afghanistan.[127] On 10 September, a road named Panjshir Alley in Tehran was officially named and approved by the Tehran City Council.[128]

Pro-Taliban

According to an India Today report, the former Samangan MP Zia Arianjad said on 6 September that defending resistance forces had been bombed by drones of the Pakistan Air Force using smart bombs and claimed that Pakistan's special forces assisted the Taliban in attacking the resistance.[129] The Week cited defence analyst Babak Taghvaee and Panjshir governor Kamaluddin Nezami stating that drones had attacked the NRF, with Taghvaee attributing responsibility to the Pakistani Air Force. These claims of Pakistan support were denied by both the Taliban[3] and Pakistan.[130]

NRF officials said that journalist and NRF spokesperson Fahim Dashti was killed on 6 September in Anaba district in a clash including an attack by Pakistan Air Force drones.[131] A statement released by the Tajik Embassy in Germany on 8 September suggested that the Taliban received some help from unnamed countries to bomb Panjshir.[132]

Analysis

Journalists Carlotta Gall and Adam Nossiter wrote in The New York Times that the international community would be in a bind if they showed some form of support for the resistance because of the airlift operations.[17] Abdul Matin Beyk suggested that other anti-Taliban forces are waiting to see if the Panjshir-based fighters will either resist to the end or keep considering negotiations from Taliban representatives.[17] He suggests that their successes can inspire others to do the same.[17]

Analysts Bill Roggio and Andrew Tobin speculated that the eventual success of the Taliban offensive against the Panjshir Valley might have been related to the previous attempts of the NRF to expand into neighboring districts. Accordingly, the NRF would have been overextended and had not prepared its defenses well enough.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Roggio, Bill (2 September 2021). "National Resistance Front repels multi-day Taliban assault on Panjshir | FDD's Long War Journal". www.longwarjournal.org. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  2. ^ a b c "Panjshir bombed by Pakistani Air Force drones: Reports". India Today. 6 September 2021.
  3. ^ a b "Pakistan Air Force drones bombed Panjshir resistance?". The Week. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021. Tajuden Soroush, correspondent for UK-based Iran International, tweeted that Kamaluddin Nezami, governor of Panjshir, had told him that resistance positions 'were bombed by drones several times'. [...] Babak Taghvaee, a defence analyst who has monitored the region extensively, tweeted Pakistan used CH-4 drones, supplied by China, to carry out missile attacks in Panjshir.
  4. ^ a b "'Panjshir stands strong': Afghanistan's last holdout against the Taliban". the Guardian. 18 August 2021. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f van Bijlert, Martine (1 September 2021). "The Moment in Between: After the Americans, before the new regime". Afghanistan Analyst Network. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d Schnell, Michael (1 September 2021). "Heavy fighting reported in last Afghanistan province not under Taliban control". The Hill. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  7. ^ Filseth, Trevor (7 September 2021). "Panjshir Resistance: Heavy Fighting as Taliban Escalate Attacks". Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  8. ^ a b "the U.S should back anti-taliban resistance groups, says lawmaker". Global Defense Corp. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  9. ^ Pannett, Rachel; Khan, Haq Nawaz; Mehrdad, Ezzatullah; O'Grady, Siobhán (6 September 2021). "Panjshir Valley, last resistance holdout in Afghanistan, falls to the Taliban". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  10. ^ a b c Roggio, Bill (6 September 2021). "Taliban completes conquest of Afghanistan after seizing Panjshir". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  11. ^ "Ahmad Massoud: Anti-Taliban Resistance from the Panjshir Valley". LangcangKuning.com. 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g Loyd, Anthony (6 September 2021). "Taliban on verge of crushing last stronghold of resistance in Panjshir Valley". The Times.
  13. ^ a b "Taliban claim complete control of Afghan province of Panjshir". The Express Tribune. 6 September 2021.
  14. ^ "'Fight to the death' looms in Panjshir Valley". Asia Times. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  15. ^ a b Kramer, Andrew E. (18 August 2021). "Leaders in Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley defy the Taliban and demand an inclusive government". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  16. ^ a b Khalid, Tuqa (5 September 2021). "Spokesman of Afghanistan resistance killed in fighting with Taliban". Al Arabiya English.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g Gall, Carlotta; Nossiter, Adam (25 August 2021). "Budding Resistance to the Taliban Faces Long Odds". New York Times. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  18. ^ Wani, Ashraf (6 September 2021). "Chief commander of Panjshir resistance forces Saleh Mohammed killed, claim Taliban". India Today.
  19. ^ a b "Fahim Dashti survived the 'Lion of Panjshir' assassination. Now, under Taliban fire, he is killed". The Week. 6 September 2021.
  20. ^ a b c d e Ebbighausen, Rodion (20 August 2021). "Why Afghanistan's Panjshir remains out of Taliban's reach". DW. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h "Afghan resistance ready for conflict but prefers negotiations". France24. 22 August 2021. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  22. ^ a b Filseth, Trevor (20 August 2021). "Taliban Takeover: Panjshir Valley Holdouts Offer Peace Deal to Taliban". The National Interest. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  23. ^ "Almost 600 Taliban fighters killed by Panjshir forces". Dhaka Tribune. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  24. ^ "Taliban, National Resistance Front clash in Panjshir, Baghlan provinces: Report". India Today. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  25. ^ "At least seven Taliban reported killed in Panjshir fighting". Reuters. 31 August 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  26. ^ Rosenberg, Matthew (21 August 2021). "Resistance fighters drive Taliban from 3 districts in the mountains north of Kabul". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021. The fighters claimed to have killed as many as 30 Taliban and captured nearly two dozen more. A pro-Taliban Twitter account put the militants' death toll at half that number.
  27. ^ Freeman, Colin (5 September 2021). "Last Afghan resistance pocket in Panjshir Valley 'on brink of collapse' amid Taliban assault". The Telegraph.
  28. ^ "Anti-Taliban resistance group says it has thousands of fighters". BBC News. 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  29. ^ "Afghan vice president says he is "caretaker" president". reuters.com. 17 August 2021. Archived from the original on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  30. ^ "An anti-Taliban front forming in Panjshir? Ex top spy Saleh, son of 'Lion of Panjshir' meet at citadel". The Week. 17 August 2021. Archived from the original on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  31. ^ a b "Taliban, Northern Alliance agree not to attack each other: sources". www.geo.tv. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  32. ^ "Fighting Breaks Out Between Taliban, Panjshiri Resistance After Failed Talks". Voice of America. 1 September 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  33. ^ "Welles-nietesspel over eindstrijd Panjshir, taliban voeren hevige strijd om laatste opstandige provincie". VRT NWS. 3 September 2021. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  34. ^ a b c Kazmin, Amy; Findlay, Stephanie; Bokhari, Farhan (6 September 2021). "Taliban says it has captured last Afghan region of resistance". Financial Times. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  35. ^ a b c d e Roggio, Bill (18 August 2021). "After fall of Kabul, resistance to Taliban emerges in Panjshir". Long War Journal. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  36. ^ a b c d Roggio, Bill; Tobin, Andrew (20 August 2021). "Anti-Taliban resistance makes modest gains outside Panjshir". Long War Journal. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  37. ^ a b "An anti-Taliban front forming in Panjshir? Ex top spy Saleh, son of 'Lion of Panjshir' meet at citadel". The Week. 17 August 2021. Archived from the original on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  38. ^ a b "Panjshir flies flag of resistance again; Amrullah says he is President of Afghanistan". Tribune India. 17 August 2021. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  39. ^ a b c "Taliban Targets Panjshir Valley as Resistance Leaders Remain Defiant | Voice of America - English". Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  40. ^ a b c Hakemy, Sulaiman (17 August 2021). "Panjshir: The last bastion of anti-Taliban resistance in Afghanistan". The National. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  41. ^ "Operations". The National Resistance Front: Fighting for a Free Afghanistan. National Resistance Front of Afghanistan. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  42. ^ Vakil, Caroline (20 August 2021). "Russian ambassador: 'There is no alternative to the Taliban in Afghanistan'". The Hill. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  43. ^ "Why Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley remains out of Taliban reach". Firstpost. 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  44. ^ Beale, Jonathan (13 August 2021). "Afghanistan: How the Taliban gained ground so quickly". BBC News. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  45. ^ Burns, Robert (17 August 2021). "How $83 Billion Spent on the Afghan Army Ended Up Benefiting the Taliban". Time. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  46. ^ a b Mutch, Tom (4 September 2021). "Afghanistan's Hazaras Get Mixed Messages From the Taliban". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 6 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  47. ^ "'Northern Alliance' flag hoisted in Panjshir in first resistance against Taliban". Hindustan Times. 17 August 2021. Archived from the original on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  48. ^ Mehrdad, Ezzatullah; Raghavan, Sudarsan (20 August 2021). "Anti-Taliban fighters claim victories as first stirrings of armed resistance emerge". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  49. ^ Mottram, Linda (17 August 2021). "Resistance and refugees: the Afghan province holding out against the Taliban". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  50. ^ "Emergency: situation is stabilising in Kabul but clashes continue at the airport". Emergency. 18 August 2021. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  51. ^ "Emergency Hospital Says Number of Patients in Panjshir Rising". TOLOnews. 19 August 2021. Archived from the original on 19 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  52. ^ Rosenberg, Matthew (18 August 2021). "An old bastion of anti-Taliban sentiment is girding for a new fight". New York Times. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  53. ^ "Afghan envoy says hold-out Panjshir province can resist Taliban rule". Reuters. 18 August 2021. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  54. ^ "Glavin: Afghan resistance gears up for the long, predictable battle ahead". ottawacitizen. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  55. ^ "Afghanistan: Can history repeat itself…?". The Financial Express. 20 August 2021. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  56. ^ a b Roche, Darragh (20 August 2021). "Anti-Taliban Resistance Recaptures Multiple Areas as Afghans Fight Back". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  57. ^ "Anti-Taliban Resistance Takes Back 3 Districts From Insurgents in Afghanistan: Reports". News18. 20 August 2021. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  58. ^ Raghavan, Sudarsan (20 August 2021). "Anti-Taliban fighters claim victories as first stirrings of armed resistance emerge". Washington Post. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  59. ^ Rosenberg, Matthew (21 August 2021). "Resistance fighters drive Taliban from 3 districts in the mountains north of Kabul". New York Times. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  60. ^ "'Resistance is alive': Ex-Afghan minister says rebel forces 'recaptured' 3 districts from Taliban". Hindustan Times. 21 August 2021. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  61. ^ "Anti-Taliban militia take hold of Baghlan province". The Independent. 20 August 2021. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  62. ^ Blum, Justin (20 August 2021). "Former Afghan Leaders Meet Taliban: Afghanistan Update". Bloomberg News. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  63. ^ Ayaz Gul (20 August 2021). "Anti-Taliban Forces Retake Three Northern Afghan Districts". Voice of America. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  64. ^ News, A. B. C. "Crush at Kabul airport kills 7 as Afghans try to flee". ABC News. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  65. ^ "Russia set to help Taliban reach political deal with 'resistance' leaders at Panjshir". The Week. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  66. ^ "Gunfire At Kabul Airport Kills One Afghan Soldier As Evacuations Continue". NPR.org. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  67. ^ a b Abueish, Tamara (22 August 2021). "Taliban will face resistance if they try to seize Panjshir valley: Ahmad Massoud". Al Arabiya. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  68. ^ "Afghanistan's Massoud refuses to surrender Panjshir region to Taliban". TRT World. 22 August 2021. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  69. ^ "Talks between Taliban, Panjshir resistance break down as Afghans await formation of new government | 10 Developments". indiatoday.in. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  70. ^ "Taliban says hundreds of fighters heading to take Panjshir Valley". Al Jazeera (newsgroup). Afghanistan. 22 August 2021. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  71. ^ a b "Taliban captures four hills in Panjshir valley after failed peace talks". icirnigeria.org. 24 August 2021. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  72. ^ "Taliban near Panjshir after retaking three northern Afghan districts". Reuters. 23 August 2021. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021.
  73. ^ India Today Web Desk. "Taliban district chief, 50 insurgents killed in fight with Afghan resistance in Andarab". India Today. Archived from the original on 23 August 2021. Retrieved 24 August 2021. Meanwhile, one member of the resistance was killed and six were wounded.
  74. ^ "Dozens of Taliban fighters killed by Panjshir resistance". Deccan Herald. 24 August 2021. Archived from the original on 24 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  75. ^ "Taliban abducting children, elderly in Andarab valley: Amrullah Saleh". Hindustan Times. 24 August 2021. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  76. ^ "Taliban to send team to Panjshir for talks". tribuneindia.com. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  77. ^ "Taliban and Northern Alliance begin talks, both agreed on ceasefire". newstracklive.com. 26 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  78. ^ "Taliban confident of peace deal in Panjshir, but Afghan resistance force vows 'no surrender'". firstpost.com. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 27 August 2021.
  79. ^ "Resistance Forces in Afghan Province Reject Taliban's Claim of Advances: Report". ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  80. ^ MacDiarmid, Campbell (1 September 2021). "Fighting in Panjshir Valley as Taliban move against last rebel-held Afghan province". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  81. ^ GDC (31 August 2021). "Afghanistan's Civil War Just Started As Taliban Battles Isis-K, Panjshir Valley's NRF And Itself". Global Defense Corp. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  82. ^ DelhiAugust 25, India Today Web Desk New; August 25, 2021UPDATED; Ist, 2021 01:50. "Exclusive Ground Report: Resistance forces, Taliban face off in Afghanistan's Panjshir valley". India Today. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021. {{cite web}}: |first3= has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  83. ^ "Peace deal with Panjshir Resistance? Taliban 80% confident, claims report". Hindustan Times. 25 August 2021. Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  84. ^ "Heavy losses to Taliban in Kapisa as Afghan resistance counterattacks". hindustantimes.com. 28 August 2021. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  85. ^ "Taliban shut down internet in resistance forces-held Panjshir valley: Here's the reason why". freepressjournal.in. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  86. ^ "A video of MP Ashraf Ghani in Panjshir .. And the Taliban cut the internet". asumetech.com. 29 August 2021. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  87. ^ "Panjshir resistance forces repel Taliban attack on its outpost - source". TASS. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  88. ^ a b "350 Taliban casualties, over 40 captured and prisoned in 'battle of Khavak', claims Northern Alliance". India Today. 1 September 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  89. ^ a b "At least 7 Taliban killed by resistance fighters in Panjshir". The Jerusalem Post. 31 August 2021. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  90. ^ a b Gaurav, Kunal (September 2021). "'Those who want to fight...': Taliban's message to Panjshir leaders after talks fail". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  91. ^ "Taliban appoint governor of Panjshir, urge resistance to avoid conflict". wionews.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  92. ^ "جنگ در ورودی‌های پنجشیر؛ طالبان می‌گویند مذاکرات تا حالا بی‌نتیجه مانده است". BBC Persian. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  93. ^ "مقاومت در برابر طالبان، از پنجشیر تا خیابانهای هرات، صفحه ۲ آخر هفته". BBC Persian. 2 September 2021. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  94. ^ "British Foreign Minister Travels to Pakistan for Talks on Afghanistan". 2 September 2021. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  95. ^ "Taliban and Afghan rebels claim heavy casualties in fighting over valley". Reuters. 2 September 2021. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  96. ^ "Taliban sources say their forces take Panjshir, in full control of Afghanistan". Reuters. 3 September 2021. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  97. ^ "The Afghan Resistance Says Reports Of Its Defeat In Panjshir Are Taliban Propaganda". NPR. 3 September 2021. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  98. ^ "Afghanistan: Fate of Panjshir Valley in balance amid heavy fighting". BBC. 3 September 2021. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 3 September 2021.
  99. ^ "Taliban yet to name government as Panjshir resistance holds". France24. 4 September 2021. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  100. ^ "Taliban, opposition fight for Afghan holdout province of Panjshir". Reuters. 4 September 2021. Archived from the original on 4 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  101. ^ a b "Panjshir resistance leader says ready for talks with Taliban". The Times. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  102. ^ "Resistance group fighting Taliban offers talks to end conflict in Panjshir". AA. 5 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  103. ^ "Panjshir resistance leader says ready for talks with Taliban". al-Jazeera. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  104. ^ a b Shah, Saeed (6 September 2021). "Taliban Claim to Have Conquered Last Pocket of Resistance in Afghanistan". Wall Street Journal.
  105. ^ a b Robertson, Nic; Kohzad, Nilly; Lister, Tim; Regan, Helen (6 September 2021). "Taliban claims victory in Panjshir, but resistance forces say they still control strategic position in the valley". CNN. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  106. ^ a b Pannett, Rachel (6 September 2021). "Panjshir Valley, last resistance holdout in Afghanistan, falls to the Taliban". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  107. ^ a b "Taliban claim Panjshir victory, resistance forces dispute claim | DW | 06.09.2021". DW.COM. 6 September 2020.
  108. ^ "Taliban claim Panjshir captured, resistance forces vow to carry on fighting". Hindustan Times. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  109. ^ "Taliban claim they have control of last Afghan holdout province". euronews. 6 September 2021.
  110. ^ "Taliban take full control of Afghanistan as final province falls". The Irish Times. 6 September 2021.
  111. ^ "Taliban say they took Panjshir, last holdout Afghan province". AP. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  112. ^ "Civilians in Afghanistan's Panjshir valley face humanitarian crisis as Taliban attack". The Guardian. 7 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  113. ^ "Taliban massacring civilians across Panjshir: Resistance forces seek help from UN". India Today. 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  114. ^ a b Kumar, Ankit (9 September 2021). "How far inside the Panjshir valley have Taliban breached?". India Today. Retrieved 10 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  115. ^ "Resources drying up, Panjshir bastion of Afghan resistance forces stares at hunger crisis". India Today. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  116. ^ Chaturvedi, Amit (9 September 2021). "'Made tactical withdrawal': NRF leader says 60% of Panjshir still under control". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  117. ^ Pirnazarov, Nazarali; Balmforth, Tom (8 September 2021). "Resistance leaders Massoud, Saleh still in Afghanistan, diplomat says". Reuters. Retrieved 10 September 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  118. ^ Ghosh, Poulomi (10 September 2021). "Taliban invade Amrullah Saleh's place in Panjshir, brother shot: Report". The Hindustan Times. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  119. ^ "Panjshir resistance forces are hiding in valleys and caves, claim Taliban; fight not over yet, counters an opposition leader". Free Press Journal. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
  120. ^ "Brother of former Afghan VP killed by Taliban". Deutsche Welle. 11 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
  121. ^ Rosenberg, Matthew (21 August 2021). "Resistance fighters drive Taliban from 3 districts in the mountains north of Kabul". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
  122. ^ "Eye On Taliban, Former Army Chief Says Need To Step Up Kashmir Outreach". NDTV.com. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  123. ^ "Biden Must Keep U.S. Operatives in Afghanistan To Enable the Counterterrorism Mission". Time. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  124. ^ "Tajik Group Offers to Fight Alongside Anti-Taliban Militias in Afghanistan". rferl.org. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  125. ^ Bensadoun, Emerald. "Afghanistan's anti-Taliban resistance is growing. Is it enough to retake the country?". globalnews.ca. Archived from the original on 2 September 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2021.
  126. ^ "Iran condemns Taliban for assault on holdout fighters in Panjshir Valley". The Times of Israel. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  127. ^ "Condemn "All Foreign Interference" in Afghanistan: Iran's Message to Pak". ndtv.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  128. ^ https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/afghanistan-news-live-updates-terrorism-continues-to-pose-serious-threat-to-afghanistan-india-to-unsc-1851217-2021-09-10
  129. ^ "Panjshir: Pak Air Force dropped bombs via drones to help Taliban, say reports". Hindustan Times. 6 September 2021.
  130. ^ "Pakistan rejects reports alluding to its involvement in Panjshir Valley offensive". The Hindu. PTI. 10 September 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 10 September 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  131. ^ Rasooli, Shirshah (6 September 2021). "Well-Known Journalist Fahim Dashti Killed in Panjshir". TOLOnews. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  132. ^ https://mfa.tj/en/berlin/view/8562/participation-of-the-minister-of-foreign-affairs-in-a-virtual-meeting-on-afghanistan
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Republican_insurgency_in_Afghanistan&oldid=1043781023"