Kabul: Former Afghan government forces forming a resistance movement in a fortified valley are preparing for “long-term conflict”, but are also seeking to negotiate with the Taliban, their spokesman said.
Since the Taliban took control of the country, thousands of people have made their way to Panjshir, Ali Maisam Nazary said. There, Ahmad Massoud, the son of Mujahideen commander Ahmad Shah Massoud who was assassinated by al-Qaida two days before the September 11, 2001 attacks, has assembled a fighting force of 9,000 people, he added.
The National Resistance Front’s main goal is to avoid further bloodshed and press for a new system of government. But Nazary said the group is also prepared for “long-term” conflict, and if the Taliban do not negotiate. “The conditions for a peace deal with Taliban is decentralisation - a system that ensures social justice, equality, rights, and freedom for all,” said Nazary, the NRF’s head of foreign ties.
Talks between local leaders from Afghanistan’s north and authorities in Pakistan were taking place until just days ago, he said. He added that Masood had different views to Amrullah Saleh, latterly the country’s vice-president who is also holed out in the valley and vowed to lead an uprising, on Pakistan. “Mr Saleh is anti-Taliban and anti-Pakistani. He is in Panjshir and he is respected. That does not mean he is a part of this movement. The aim right now is to defend Panjshir and its people,” he said.