Taliban Seizing Last Restive Mountain Region
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – Abandoned by the West, the last forces loyal to a previous government leader were defeated Monday by Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban.
The Islamist rulers, who seized a priceless arsenal of U.S. weaponry, declared victory in the Panjshir province. This restive mountain region was the final holdout of resistance forces in the country.
A senior official of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan confirmed that the Taliban had taken over.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement that the Islamist group had “completely conquered” the Panjshir Valley. “With the help of Allah and support of our people, the Islamic Emirate has taken complete control. Our last efforts for establishing peace and security in the country have given results,” he said.
The senior official of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told The Washington Post paper: “Yes, Panjshir has fallen. Taliban took control of government offices. Taliban fighters entered into the governor’s house.”
Ahmad Massoud, head of the resistance, is “at [a] safe place,” the official said, adding that Amrullah Saleh, another senior anti-Taliban leader who had served as vice president of the ousted government, had fled for Tajikistan.
Saleh had appealed for U.S. military support to keep control over Panjshir Valley, which he pledged to make a safe haven for those staying behind in Afghanistan.
Possible hundreds of Americans and thousands of allies remain behind enemy lines following the recent chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The developments came after a brutal reported weekend for women in Afghanistan, where the Taliban imposes its strict interpretation of Islam.
Reported attacks included a pregnant policewoman killed by the Taliban, while the Islamist group violently suppressed a women’s rights demonstration in Kabul.
Despite the reported crackdown, Taliban officials on Sunday met with the United Nations undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs who promised “to maintain assistance,” the Islamist group said.
With questions about the American withdrawal mounting, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is heading to the Persian Gulf to meet leaders that helped with the Kabul Airlift.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is also in the region, where he will discuss resettlement efforts.
It was not immediately apparent whether plans would be discussed to bring Americans, Christians, and other allies stuck in Afghanistan to safety. Several groups are involved in challenging rescue missions, Worthy News learned.
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