Panjsher Captured One Week After US Troop Withdrawal
Resistance Leaders Presumed to Have Fled to Tajikistan
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Afghan armed faction Taliban announced that it has captured Panjshir, the last stronghold of the resistance forces, and succeeded in taking control of the entire territory of Afghanistan. With the capture of Panjshir just one week after the U.S. military announced its complete withdrawal, the Taliban's control over Afghanistan is expected to strengthen further. Key leaders of the resistance forces are reported to have fled to the neighboring country of Tajikistan.
According to the Washington Post (WP) on the 6th (local time), Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesperson, stated in a press release, "We have completely captured the Panjshir Valley, and we now have full control over the entire territory of Afghanistan," emphasizing, "The final effort for the peace and security of the homeland has borne fruit."
The National Resistance Front (NRF), which led the anti-Taliban forces with Panjshir as their last stronghold, has not issued an official statement. However, WP reported, citing a senior NRF official speaking on condition of anonymity, that the Panjshir region has been occupied by the Taliban. It is known that Ahmad Masoud, the warlord leader of the resistance forces, and Amrullah Saleh, the First Vice President leading the Panjshir interim government, among other resistance leaders, have fled to Tajikistan.
Since capturing Kabul on the 15th of last month, the Taliban had sent a negotiation team to the NRF, which was resisting from the rugged Panjshir Valley, proposing that they join a Taliban-led inclusive government. However, after the failure of negotiations and the U.S. military's declaration of complete withdrawal on the 30th of last month, the Taliban shifted to an offensive, moving armored vehicles and heavy weapons to the Panjshir province, surrounding it in layers, blocking roads and communication networks, and repeatedly attempting entry operations.
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