The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRFA) is open to peace talks if the Taliban withdraw from the Panjshir Valley. So says leader Ahmas Massoud in a statement. Panjshir is the last stronghold of resistance against the Taliban. They claim to control most of the area, but the resistance denies this.
–
“The NRFA agrees in principle to resolve the current issues, immediately end the fighting and continue negotiations,” Massoud wrote on Facebook. “In order to achieve a lasting peace, the NRFA is ready to stop fighting on condition that the Taliban also stop their attacks on Panjshir and Andarab.”
–
Massoud responds to a proposal from the ulema, a council of Islamic scholars. He called on the Taliban to negotiate with the resistance fighters and end the fighting.
–
To trust
“The National Resistance Front is committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes with the Taliban in accordance with the principles of religion and morality,” Massoud said in a statement. “It is confident that the country’s future system will work with the Taliban and other groups and sects representing the Afghan people.”
–
–
Fierce fighting has been going on all week between the Taliban and the NRFA in the presumed impregnable Panjshir valley. The situation is unclear. The Taliban say they have conquered key districts and advanced towards the provincial capital, but the NRFA denies this.
–
Massoud had initially called for a settlement with the Taliban. Several attempts at talks were made, but they failed. Both sides blamed each other for this.
–
Panshhir is the last province not yet in the hands of the Taliban. On Friday, the Taliban claimed the conquest of the valley, but an NRFA spokesman called that a “lie”.
–
–
The Italian emergency agency said yesterday that the Taliban reached a hospital in one of the districts in the Panjshir valley.
–
under foot
Today, senior Taliban spokesman Bilal Karimi tweeted that the fighters have overrun the Rokha district, one of the largest of the eight districts in Panjshir. The police headquarters and a district center are said to have been captured. Many resistance fighters are said to have been killed or arrested.
–
Rokha borders the provincial capital of Bazarak, where fighting is also taking place, the Taliban said. The messages have not been confirmed.
–
Earlier today, NRFA spokesman Fahim Dashti said the resistance in a northeastern district successfully repulsed a Taliban attack. According to the unconfirmed report, at least 1,000 Taliban fighters were forced back or captured. “The resistance forces are ready to continue their defense against any form of aggression,” Dashti said.
–
Watch our videos about the situation in Afghanistan here
–
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss a thing from the stars.
–
–
