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 Panjshir Tal -  sit rep infographic
Grafik zeigt Situationsbericht im afghanischen Panjshir Tal.
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MILITÄR

Taliban behaupten, das Panjshir Tal unter Kontrolle zu haben

By Duncan Mil

September 6, 2021 - Taliban Truppen haben sich einen Weg nach Bazarak, der Provinzhauptstadt des Panjshir Tales, erkämpft. Es ist die allerletzte Region, die sich gegen die Regierung der islamistischen Hardliner aufgelehnt hat. Allerdings leugnet die National Resistance Front (NRF), dass die Region gefallen ist und schwört, weiterkämpfen zu wollen.

The conflicting accounts of what was happening on Monday (September 6) were hard to verify because internet and telephone service into the region has been cut off.

During their occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, the Soviet Red Army advanced into the Panjshir on at least nine occasions, only to be repelled each time, sometimes after severe casualties. Thirty-eight years later, the rusting hulks of Soviet Tanks, APCs and artillery still litter the valley floor.

The Taliban never succeeded in conquering the Panjshir the last time they ruled Afghanistan, from 1996 to 2001 -- it became the launching point for the U.S.-led invasion after the 9/11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon.

The resistance group’s leader, Ahmad Massoud, is the son of Ahmad Shah Massoud. This commander was assassinated by Al Qaeda just two days before 9/11. Massoud issued an audio recording on Monday calling for the nation to rise up against the Taliban.

“I call for a national uprising for the dignity, freedom, and pride of our homeland. Anyone in any way possible can stand and raise their voice,” Massoud said in the recording.

Massoud also said NRF members surrounded “thousands of terrorists” on Khawak Pass at the weekend. The Taliban abandoned equipment in the Dashte Rewak area.

There are reports of significant losses among the resistance fighters, including the deaths of several commanders and of its spokesman, Fahim Dashti.

The mountainous region is home to around 200,000 people and has peaks between 4,000 and 5,000 metres.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 06/09/2021; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Associated Press, Getty Images, Twitter
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