Afghanistan: Panjshir resistance fighters ready for war yet open to peace with Taliban

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Amid the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, fighters of the self-proclaimed National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRFA) have been preparing to defend the Panjshir valley from possible attack.

NRFA combatants were seen training in the Panjshir valley - the last Afghan province not under Taliban control - in footage captured between August 29 and September 1.

Their leader Ahmad Massoud has been quoted as calling for negotiations with the Taliban but says his forces will resist any attempt to attack the Panjshir valley, located just north of the capital Kabul. The Taliban leadership, too, has reportedly called for a negotiated settlement with the NRFA but is also preparing for a potential outbreak of hostilities.

Abdul Raouf, a fighter loyal to Ahmad Massoud, said he had a message for the Taliban. “We want peace across Afghanistan, we especially want peace in Panjshir, but if no one agrees to peace, we will continue fighting by the help of God.”

“We don’t have any problems regarding access to military equipment, weapons and the necessary tools. We are ready for peace at first, but if anyone would like to fight we are ready to fight.”

Small-scale clashes between the two sides have broken out in recent days, with casualties being claimed by both groups. Fighting reportedly began in the approaches to the Panjshir valley on Tuesday as international troops completed their withdrawal from Afghanistan.

On Monday, the Pentagon announced that the US had officially completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan after engaging in a war that lasted 20 years.

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