Panjshir conflict | |||||||
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Part of Afghanistan conflict (1978–present) | |||||||
Map of controlled land in Afghanistan, the Panjshir Valley is the only remaining uncontested area controlled by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its allies. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Hibatullah Akhundzada Mohammad Yaqoob Abdul Ghani Baradar |
Amrullah Saleh Ahmad Massoud Bismillah Khan Yasin Zia[2] | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
Taliban militia |
Remnants of the Afghan National Security Forces Various anti-Taliban militias |
The Panjshir conflict[citation needed] is a political dispute between the Panjshir resistance and the much diminished Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on one side, and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (controlled by the Taliban) on the other. It began following the Fall of Kabul (2021).
Timeline
Panjshir Province
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan exercises de facto control over the Panjshir Valley, which is largely contiguous with Panjshir Province and according to The Week, as of August 2021 is "the only region out of [the] Taliban's hands".[3] Prior to the Fall of Kabul, Panjshiris began moving military equipment from surrounding areas, including helicopters and armored vehicles, into Panjshir Province.[4] There, they were joined by commanders and soldiers of the Afghan National Army Commando Corps.[4][5] Most of them regrouped at Baghlan Province's Andarab District before moving to Panjshir after making their escape from Kunduz, Badakhshan, Takhar, and Baghlan.[6]
On 17 August 2021, Amrullah 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.[7] His claim to the presidency was endorsed by Ahmad Massoud and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Minister of Defence Bismillah Khan Mohammadi along with the Afghan Embassy in Dushanbe.[7][2] At around the same time, remnants of the Afghan National Army began massing in the Panjshir Valley at the urging of Massoud.[3][8]
As of 17 August, the Panjshir Valley was—according to one observer—"under siege on all sides" but had not come under direct attack.[9] On 18 August, the number of admissions for war injuries was increasing at the Emergency Surgical Centre for War Victims in Anabah in Panjshir.[10][11]
Parwan Province
On 18 August 2021, local reports from Parwan Province reported that Saleh's forces had taken Charikar from Taliban fighters stationed in the area.[6][12] In addition, there are reports of gunfights taking place near Salang Pass.[13]
Baghlan Province
On 20 August 2021, anti-Taliban fighters reportedly recaptured Andarab, Puli Hisar and Dih Salah districts in Baghlan Province with 60 Taliban fighters confirmed to be killed. Audiovisual reports of the events circulated on social media[14] and were reported by Pajhwok Afghan News.[15] Later on the 20th, it was reported that the forces, led by Abdul Hamid Dadgar, had recaptured Banu, though the Taliban had not yet commented.[16]
The Taliban has denied these claims.[citation needed]
Resolution
As of August 2021, a negotiated end to the political impasse has been attempted, with Saleh calling for a "peace deal" with the Taliban.[4][17] On 18 August, Mohammad Zahir Aghbar, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan's ambassador to Tajikistan, indicated the possibility of including the Taliban in a coalition government as a means of diffusing the stalemate.[18]
See also
References
- ^ "'Panjshir stands strong': Afghanistan's last holdout against the Taliban". the Guardian. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ 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. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c Hakemy, Sulaiman (17 August 2021). "Panjshir: The last bastion of anti-Taliban resistance in Afghanistan". The National. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- ^ "Operations". Northern Alliance: Fighting for a Free Afghanistan. Friends of the Northern Alliance. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ a b Roggio, Bill (18 August 2021). "After fall of Kabul, resistance to Taliban emerges in Panjshir". Long War Journal. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Panjshir flies flag of resistance again; Amrullah says he is President of Afghanistan". Tribune India. 17 August 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
- ^ "'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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Glavin: Afghan resistance gears up for the long, predictable battle ahead". ottawacitizen. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
- ^ "Afghanistan: Can history repeat itself…?". The Financial Express. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
news.am_Baghlan_Province
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Anti-Taliban militia take hold of Baghlan province". The Independent. 20 August 2021.
- ^ Rosenberg, Matthew (18 August 2021). "An old bastion of anti-Taliban sentiment is girding for a new fight". New York Times. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- ^ "Afghan envoy says hold-out Panjshir province can resist Taliban rule". Reuters. 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.