Yesterday the Taliban declared total victory in Afghanistan after the fall of Panjshir Valley province. A video has been released of Taliban fighters raising their flag above the governor’s house in Panjshir Valley.
However, opposition fighters have said they will continue to fight in the region.
This was the final province to be taken over by the Taliban.
The region is 80 miles north of the capital Kabul.
The “Lions of Panjshir” are part of the resistance led by Ahmad Massoud, son of the freedom fighter referred to as “The Lion” who defended the valley in the 80s and 90s.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban issued a statement saying the area had been “completely conquered”.
He also added a “number of people” were killed while the “rest fled” from the region.
During a press conference in Kabul, he said: “We tried our best to solve the problem through negotiations, and they rejected talks and then we had to send our forces to fight.”
The Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15, 10 days after the first provincial capital Zaranj was captured by the group.
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However, despite the recent reports of the area being taken over by the Taliban, this has been denied by opposition, the National Resistance Front (NRF).
They have said: “The Taliban’s claim of occupying Panjshir is false.
“The NRF 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.”