Amid fighting in Panjshir, Taliban continue without forming a government

The Taliban have again postponed the presentation of their government this Saturday, whose composition could give clues as to what the next few years will be in Afghanistan, where the new regime continues to face a stronghold of resistance in the Panjshir Valley.

They succeeded almost three weeks since the Taliban took powerBut two sources from the Islamist movement said that the expected announcement of the new government would not come this Saturday either.

A delay which could be explained by the situation in Panjshir, one of the last sources of armed opposition to the new regime. This valley, a A former anti-Taliban stronghold, it is located about 80 kilometers north of the capital and is difficult to access.

Since Monday, when the last American troops left the country, it has been the scene of fighting between the Taliban and the National Resistance Front (FNR).

Meanwhile, in Kabul, gunshots rang out on Friday evening to celebrate the victory of the Islamist movement in Panjshir, after rumors spread that the victory of the Taliban was sung. However, the Taliban made no official announcement in this regard and a resident of Panjshir claimed that the announcements were false.

“The resistance continues”

According to the capital’s emergency services, two people lost their lives and twenty others were injured by the jubilant gunfire, prompting chief Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid to ask his followers on Twitter to stop “shooting. ‘air”. and that “instead, (they would give) thanks to God.”

Refugee in the Panshir valley, the former vice-president Amrullah Saleh said a “very difficult situation” was unfolding in a video message broadcast Friday evening., in which he asserted that the “resistance continued and would continue.”

According to Ahmad Massoud, son of Commander Ahmed Shah Massoud, assassinated in 2001 by Al-Qaeda, and who leads the resistance in the valley, the Taliban “chose the path of war”.

Since his return to power, at the end of a lightning offensive that surprised the government and the international community, the Taliban have tried to portray an image of restraint with various gestures of openness.

So they promised a “inclusive” government and in recent weeks, they have increased contacts with Afghan personalities who are opposed to them.

Several countries reaffirmed on Friday that they would judge the new regime for its actions. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he expects the Taliban to behave in a “civilized” manner while China has urged them to “break” permanently with “terrorist” groups.

“Truly inclusive”

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, who will visit Qatar from Monday to Wednesday, said for his part that he hopes the government that the launch of the Taliban will be “truly inclusive” with “non-Taliban” representatives of the various communities. and the different interests of Afghanistan ”.

Regarding the rights of women -which during the first Taliban regime, from 1996 to 2001, they were trampled, the Islamist movement assured that they would be respected. However, they also hinted that surely There will be no female minister and her presence will be relegated to the lower ranks.

After a first demonstration by activists Thursday in Herat, this Saturday dozens of them took to the streets of Kabul and were repressed. Indeed, the demonstration ended with clashes after Taliban blocked women’s entourage from advancing and sprayed them with tear gasaccording to afghan tv channel Tolo News.

But, beyond security issues, The focus is now on the Taliban’s ability to turn around the country’s economy, which is in dire straits after four decades of conflict., deprived of international aid on which it largely depends and which has been partially suspended.

“Afghanistan faces a impending humanitarian disasterThe UN warned Friday that it would hold a meeting on September 13 to increase humanitarian aid for the country.

Qatar for its part announced that sent 15 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan on Saturday around the world and said the flights would continue “in the next few days.”

The “international flights” will be “soon operational”, declared the ambassador of Qatar in Afghanistan, Saeed bin Mubarak Al-Khayarin, to the news channel Al-Jazeera.. The radar, control tower and runway have been repaired and security is ensured in and around Kabul airport, he added.

With information from AFP

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