Ahmad Massoud announces battle against Taliban in Panjshir

Panjshir/Kabul – Although the Taliban have claimed control of Afghanistan and declared an end to the war, the reality is different. Anti-Taliban groups, led by the Northern Alliance, are gathering in large numbers in the Panjshir province, about 150 kilometres from Kabul. It has been reported that the Taliban has sent a proposal with Russian mediation to prevent a new conflict in the region. But before it could be discussed, Ahmad Massoud, the son of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the founder of the Northern Alliance, announced that the fight against the Taliban had begun with the slogan “The resistance has just begun”.

The Taliban entered the capital, Kabul, last Sunday and declared control of the entire country. At the same time, the Taliban had said that the war was over and efforts were being made for government formation. However, the Taliban’s claim that they have taken control of the whole of Afghanistan is not true, and the province of Panjshir, some 500 kilometres from the capital Kabul, is not under Taliban control. The province is controlled by the Northern Alliance, a hardliner anti-Taliban group. Former Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh has taken refuge in the region and has announced that he will be the next president in the absence of Ashraf Ghani.

Some former Afghan ministers, leaders and some military units are said to have reached Panjshir. Ahmad Massoud, the son of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the founder of the Northern Alliance, signalled his continued opposition to the Taliban. Ahmad Massoud had made it clear that he had inherited the legacy of fighting against the Taliban from his father, and he will not give it up. Seeing the opposition coming together, under the leadership of the Northern Alliance, the Taliban have initially indicated the path of dialogue.

Russia’s ambassador to Afghanistan, Dmitry Zhirnov, gave this information. Zhirnov said Taliban representatives had contacted the Russian embassy. Russian ambassador to the United States has said the Taliban do not want a new conflict. But Ahmad Massoud’s declaration of war in Panjshir, even before talks were proposed through Russia, indicates that new bloodshed will break out in the region shortly.

Groups led by the Northern Alliance have claimed control of parts of Baghlan province. At the same time, there are reports that the Taliban have sent large numbers of militants from Kunduz province to Panjshir. There have also been claims that Taliban units have entered the Andarab area.