Hundreds of Taliban fighters are heading towards Panjshir Valley, which is one of the few regions of Afghanistan not yet under the control of the extremist’s group. “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,” a tweet was shared from the group’s Arabic account on Sunday. Along with the tweet, a video showing vehicles with the Taliban’s flag moving ahead along a road.
Since the Taliban invaded Afghanistan’s capital Kabul last Sunday, after capturing key Afghan cities as foreign troops were preparing to withdraw from the war-torn area after 20 years.
Several flickers can be seen showing resistance to the Taliban rule, along with some ex-government troops gathering in the Panjshir, north of Kabul, which for long has been known as an anti-Taliban stronghold.
As per a spokesperson for the anti-Taliban forces, people in large numbers have made their way to Panjshir since the Taliban fighters took a swift charge in the capital Kabul.
In Panjshir, Ahmad Massoud, the son of legendary mujahideen commander Ahmad Shah Massoud is still leading the fight against the hardline group. Ahmad Shah Massoud was a notable leader of Afghanistan’s resistance against Soviet control in the 1980s. He was killed by Al Qaeda two days before the September 11, 2001, attacks.
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The anti-Taliban force, spokesperson Ali Maisam Nazary, said that Ahmad Massoud is trying to assemble a unit of around 9000 people to counter the Taliban militants. He added that they are preparing to fight the Taliban if needed.
"Government forces came to Panjshir from several Afghan provinces," Massoud on Sunday told Saudi Arabia's Al-Arabiya broadcaster.
"The Taliban will not last long if it continues on this path. We are ready to defend Afghanistan and we warn of bloodshed."
Several resistance forces have joined Massoud in Panjshir, which includes the remains of Afghanistan’s special forces, army units and some local fighters.
Massoud has said he wanted to have talks with the Taliban.
“We want to make the Taliban realise that the only forward is through negotiation,” Massoud was quoted by Reuters.
He further said that he doesn’t want a war, however, his forces are ready to fight them.
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The Taliban’s overthrowing of the Afghan government and defeating the army has triggered a humanitarian and diplomatic crisis, calling for help from the world leaders. Depressing visuals from Kabul airport have been going around the social media as thousands were seen trying to flee Talian’s rule. Stampede and firing have killed many by far. Meanwhile, foreign troops are struggling to evacuate civilians and diplomats from Kabul.