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ISLAMABAD – Heavy combating has began between Taliban fighters and anti-Taliban resistance forces based mostly within the Panjshir valley after talks between the 2 sides didn’t resolve their variations. A resistance spokesman claims a Taliban offensive was repulsed with the Taliban struggling heavy losses.
The resistance is led by Ahmad Masood, son of well-known anti-Taliban resistance chief from the 1990s, Ahmad Shah Masood. The elder Masood, who led the Northern Alliance towards the Taliban, was killed by al-Qaida militants posing as journalists simply earlier than the September 11, 2001, assaults on the USA.
After the autumn of Kabul final month, members of the Afghan safety forces from throughout the nation who felt betrayed by the give up of their army leaders made their approach to Panjshir to affix the resistance. Amongst them had been a number of the particular forces well-known for his or her battlefield victories towards the Taliban through the years in addition to the primary vp within the deposed regime, Amrullah Saleh.
Masood’s spokesman, Fahim Dashty, mentioned the Taliban had been operating offensive operations within the northeast of the valley, specifically from a mountain move named Khawak, in addition to from the southwest from Parwan province.
He claimed the Nationwide Resistance Entrance of Afghanistan (NRFA), because the Panjshir-based group calls itself, had repulsed them inflicting a number of hundred casualties.
“They’ve been defeated closely. The figures that we have already got, 150 of them have been killed, round 200 of them have been wounded, 35 of them have been detained, their 4 convoys have been destroyed in addition to two heavy weaponry,” he claimed.
Taliban followers on social media shared video of the group touring to Panjshir in a caravan of safety autos with Taliban flags. They claimed the Taliban had taken over a number of areas beforehand managed by the resistance forces.
On Wednesday the Taliban had blocked all visitors on the principle highway linking Panjshir to neighboring Gulbahar.
Both sides blamed the opposite for the failure of the talks between the 2 sides.
“We tried very laborious that this challenge be resolved via talks. We held a number of conferences with the stakeholders of Panjshir. We’re additionally in contact through phone. Nonetheless, till now, we’ve got not reached a decision,” mentioned senior Taliban chief Maulawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in an audio message to the folks of Panjshir province circulated by their followers and spokesmen on social media.
Dashty advised VOA Tuesday evening that the negotiations had been supposed to lead to an inclusive association acceptable to all Afghans, and during which there have been ensures for human rights, together with ladies rights.
The ball is within the Taliban’s courtroom, he mentioned. “The opposite aspect, in the event that they need to announce their authorities, an un-inclusive authorities, it’s as much as them. It is not going to have an effect on our stance.”
The Taliban have indicated they’re near saying their new authorities. A 3-day assembly of the Taliban Rahbari Shura, or management council, led by Taliban supreme chief Hibatullah Akhundzada, concluded in Kandahar Monday, mentioned Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. Taliban sources additionally mentioned Mullah Abdul Ghani Brather, the pinnacle of the Taliban political workforce and a deputy of Akhundzada, returned to Kabul after attending the three-day assembly in Kandahar.
Whereas the group has promised inclusivity, to date there aren’t any indications that it has made an influence sharing take care of any of the rival political factions within the nation.
Muttaqi inspired the folks of Panjshir province to persuade their fighters and leaders to put down their arms and be part of the Taliban, promising them peace and safety.
“We’re sending you this message so you possibly can take benefit and be part of the Emirate. We promise that the Islamic Emirate will probably be like your private home. Below our govt your life, honor, and property will probably be protected,” he mentioned.
He added that the Taliban had introduced a normal amnesty and Panjshir didn’t have to battle.
Dashty, in the meantime, mentioned on a WhatsApp group lately arrange by NRFA, “the conflict is happening … and our forces are absolutely ready.”
A former head of the Taliban political workplace based mostly in Doha, Qatar, Sayed Mohammad Tayeb Agha, referred to as on the Taliban to keep away from a monopoly on energy.
In a letter to the Taliban management, Agha mentioned an isolationist coverage may have destructive penalties for the group.
He additionally inspired the Taliban to prioritize professionalism within the new authorities and rent professionally sound workers of the previous authorities. Agha referred to as on the Taliban to just accept all worldwide norms not in battle with Islam.
Taliban forces swept into Kabul on August 15 after operating an offensive throughout the nation during which all provincial capitals fell to them inside 10 days. Since then, the group has repeatedly introduced a normal amnesty for former enemies, together with members of Afghan safety forces who fought towards them for many years.
Nonetheless, sporadic stories of Taliban fighters trying to find former authorities or intelligence officers, coupled with a belief deficit amassed over many years of conflict, led to a panic among the many inhabitants, particularly ladies’s rights activists, journalists, and those that had been a part of the previous authorities.
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