Taliban take control of all of Afghanistan
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In fact, the story of the Afghan resistance, whose members planned to overthrow the Taliban and build democracy in Afghanistan, has ended.
Neither the Soviet Union, nor the warlords in the prolonged civil war, nor the Taliban in the mid-90s, no one was able to conquer the Panjshir Valley of Afghanistan. In 2021, after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, it was in Panjshir that they tried to organize a resistance movement. But this time the Taliban took only three days to seize the region.
Why is that?
Too weak
Resistance leaders tried to create combat-ready forces from local residents and the remnants of special forces of the Afghan army, who did not want to surrender to the Taliban. In addition, they tried to get support in other countries: primarily in Tajikistan, India (which hopes to prevent Pakistani domination in the new Afghanistan), Iran and Western countries. They also counted on the influence of the Afghan diaspora, many of which supported the resistance.
In addition, they ran a violent media campaign, sending columns to Western media and promoting a “new Afghanistan” and “the impregnable fortress of Panjshir” on social media. But all this was in vain.
Popularity of the Taliban
According to experts, the main reason for the defeat of the rebels is the popularity of the project, which the Taliban offers to Afghans. Its two main components are the end of the war and the softening of the movement itself. Many Afghans perceived the resistance in Panjshir as a threat of a new endless civil war, which the Taliban quickly and with little casualties suppressed. In addition, many believe the Taliban’s peace-loving statements that the people of Panjshir are “part of our body, our brothers, who have the same rights as other people in Afghanistan.”
But it will still be difficult for the Taliban to retain power. The economic situation in Afghanistan after the West refused from financial assistance to the country has become absolutely catastrophic. The Taliban are hoping for help from China, but not the fact that they will receive it quickly. Iran, which did not directly support the resistance in Panjshir, now officially declares that it is not happy with the takeover of the province.
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EPA
Protests for women’s rights in Kabul
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What’s next
The Taliban announced the composition of the interim government of Afghanistan. Hassan Akhund became the acting prime minister of the country, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar will be his deputy. Amir Khan Muttaki will act as foreign minister. Mullah Yakub will act as Minister of Defense. Sarajuddin Haqqani, the new interim interior minister, leads a militant group known as the Haqqani Network.
On Tuesday, the Taliban broke up a major rally in Kabul. Protesters took to the streets to demand that women’s rights be guaranteed. The protesters also chanted anti-Pakistani slogans.
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