The Taliban have claimed to now be in control of all of Afghanistan after having “completely conquered” northeastern Panjshir Province: the last key area in the Central Asian country held by anti-Taliban forces.
Following several days of heavy fighting in the Panjshir Valley, the Taliban said in a 6 September statement that the opposition forces under the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRFA) – led by Ahmad Massoud – had been defeated, adding, “With this victory, our country is completely taken out of the vortex of war.”
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid holding a press conference in Kabul on 6 September. The Taliban have claimed to be in complete control of Afghanistan after capturing northeastern Panjshir: the last province in the country held by anti-Taliban forces. (Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
The group also released images that appeared to show Taliban fighters in front of the gate of the governor's compound in the provincial capital, Bazarak, as well as raising their flag in the town.
However, the Taliban's claims about the fall of the province were swiftly disputed by the NRFA, which indicated via Twitter that the resistance is continuing and that its forces “are present in all strategic positions across the valley to continue the fight”.
“We assure the people of Afghanistan that the struggle against the Taliban and their partners will continue until justice and freedom prevails,” it added.
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