Clashes between Taliban forces and the National Resistance Front Afghanistan (NRFA) are ongoing with both sides claiming to have caused heavy casualties to the opposing side.
According to Reuters, Zabihullah Mujahid on Thursday said, “After negotiations with the local armed group failed, we have launched an operation against them”.
The Resistance Front says the Taliban’s heavy attacks on Panjshir were pushed back. Fahim Fetrat, a member of the resistance front, said that the Taliban forces attacked Panjshir from four directions but were unable to enter Panjshir.
“Hundreds of enemy forces have been killed, wounded and arrested by the national resistance front forces. Tens of their armored vehicles have been set on fire and they remain in the area. They have lost several areas in Gulbahar and Jabal Saraj,” Fetrat said.
The Taliban, meanwhile, denied their forces had sustained casualties and said they had advanced in Panjshir from several directions.
“The Mujahideen have made advances into Panjshir’s Paryan district from Warsaj (district) in Takhar and Kiran Wa Manjan (district) in Badakhshan and they have met there. The Mujahideen also advanced into Panjshir from the direction of Kapisa. The central areas of Panjshir’s Shotul district are still under the control of the Islamic Emirate forces,” said Anaamullah Samangani, a member of the cultural commission of the Taliban.
Meanwhile, Afghan Former President Hamid Karzai in a statement on Friday urged both sides to stop fighting and to resolve their issues with dialogue.
On Saturday, Ahmad Massoud, son of the late Ahmad Shah Massoud and leader of the Resistance Front, said on social media that the people will never give up the resistance or fighting for their rights.
Massoud wrote on Facebook that the Afghan people are fighting for freedom and justice and will never give up resistance.
According to Massoud, the resistance is not limited to Panjshir, but includes Afghan women who have also continued their struggle for their rights.
“The Panjshir resistance, which has stood firm until now, or our zealous sisters’ resistance in Herat who have raised their voice for their rights, shows that the people have not given up their legitimate demands and will not give up their legitimate resistance and will not be afraid of any threats,” the Facebook post read.
Last Thursday a number of women in Herat city in the west held a demonstration and called for women’s inclusion in the future government.
A day later, on Friday, a number of women came out into the streets of Kabul to demand that women be included meaningfully in the future government, including in political seats and decision-making roles.