Resistance Fighters and the Taliban: uncertainty over control

Yesterday, Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid announced that the group completely defeated the National Resistance Front (NRF) and assumed control of Panjshir Province,

ولایت پنجشیر آخرین لانهء دشمن مزدور نیز به گونه کامل فتح گردید https://t.co/95ySJ5ppo6 pic.twitter.com/CCWKFt0zsb

— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) September 6, 2021

The English translation of Mujahid’s announcement is as follows:

“With the help of The Great God and with the broad support of our nation, our latest efforts for the full security of the country have paid fruit, and Panjshir province was completely conquered and taken control of the Islamic Emirate. In Panjshir, a number of outlaw gangs were beaten, the rest escaped, and the oppressed and zealous people of Panjshir were rescued from their evil and hostage-taking. We give full confidence to the honorable people of Panjshir that they will not be subjected to any discrimination, that all are our brothers, and that we will serve a country and a common goal. With this conquest and the recent efforts, our country has completely emerged from the vortex of war, and our people will live a peaceful and peaceful life in an atmosphere of freedom, independence and abadi. God willing, transcendence.”

As Mujahid ambiguously mentions that “…a number of outlaw gangs were beaten, the rest escaped, and the oppressed and zealous people of Panjshir were rescued from their evil and hostage-taking,” it becomes all the more clear that something is simply not adding up.

Additionally, the Taliban’s claim that “our country has completely emerged from the vortex of war,” is as conclusive as it is unlikely. The response from the NRF lends credence to this unlikeliness, as do the protests that occurred in the country after the group posted their response.

A response from the resistance

The same day that the Taliban announced their success in Panjshir, the NRF rejected those claims. The official twitter account of the group posted a series of messages from their leader, Ahmad Massoud, calling for a general uprising.

Massoud’s letter is included in the following tweet:

English translation of HE @AhmadMassoud01, leader of the National Resistance Front, message: pic.twitter.com/kUgGaxbTcD

— National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (@NRFafg) September 6, 2021

At the end of the opening paragraph Massoud says, “We will assure you, with full resolve, that the death of our compatriots does not weaken and demoralize us. We, the united people of Afghanistan, are used to fighting in defense of our dignity, our religion, our God and our Afghanistan. We have seen martyrdoms before and shall continue to do [so] in our struggle.”

Based on Massoud’s words, it is somewhat obvious that the NRF will continue to operate, with or without total control of Panjshir.

Future plans and reflections on martyrdom

“The NRF will soon announce a new spokesperson. We want to make this clear: martyrdom in the way of our struggle is an honor to us! In no way military pressure on us and our territory will lessen our resolve to continue our fight, but only strengthens our firmness to stand in defense of our dignity, freedom and the triumph of our people until the last moment.” stated Massoud, nearing the end of his message.

With a new NRF spokesperson on the way, and Massoud’s fervent stance on the inevitability of resistance martyrs, it appears the group is planning to expand if anything. Besides the possibility for impending growth, throughout the past two days, thousands of Afghan citizens took to the streets to champion the NRF’s mission.

In Kabul, some of the protesters condemned the Taliban actions in Panjshir, waving signs claiming, “No one has the right to invade Panjshir, not Pakistan, not the Taliban,” witnesses said. Even without the formal structure yielded by the NRF, countless Afghan men and women are rising up to align with the group’s cause.

more courageous women and men of Kabul joined the general uprising declared by @AhmadMassoud01 today. They are demanding freedom, justice, and the independence of Afg. after 20 years, this resistance and revolution will put an end to aggression once and for all. #NationalUprising pic.twitter.com/JGVuvObjpk

— Ali Maisam Nazary (@alinazary) September 7, 2021

“We have no doubts that with God’s benediction and with our people’s support, victory will be ours, and no amount of military power can withstand the will of the people. May God be With you.” said Massoud at the end of his message, rounding back to the notion that strength is localized in the will of people, not the extent of military capability.

With the will of Afghan civilians and their ability to disseminate information amongst each other, the NRF will continue to forge its path regardless of the Taliban’s claims.