We, the NRF, will stand firmly with you. Ahmad Massoud criticized the Taliban for not abiding by a resolution reached by Afghanistan's Council of Ulema, or top religious scholars, calling for a cessation of hostilities.
He has vowed to continue the legacy of his late father, claiming to fight for a free and democratic Afghanistan. The mountainous Panjshir persisted as one of the only parts of Afghanistan the Taliban were not able to seize during that time. Ahmad Shah Massoud worked with CIA paramilitary forces to galvanize and train local tribes to combat the Taliban but was assassinated by al Qaeda militants just two days before the group's terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon that precipitated the U.
The implications and the significance of losing the Panjshir to the Taliban would be huge, said Alam. For the last two and a half decades, "the Taliban were beaten time and again, every time they tried to enter the northeast; not just Panjshir," Alam said. Taliban officials insist that they will fully adhere to the US deal and prevent any group from using Afghan soil as a base for attacks against the US and its allies.
They say they aim only to implement an "Islamic government" and will not pose a threat to any other country. But many analysts say the Taliban and al-Qaeda are inseparable, with the latter's fighters heavily embedded and engaged in training activity. It is also important to remember that the Taliban are not a centralised and unified force. Some leaders may want to keep the West muted by not stirring up trouble but hardliners may be reluctant to break links with al-Qaeda.
Just how powerful al-Qaeda is and whether it could now rebuild its global network is also unclear. Its fighter numbers could be only between a few hundred and 2, but it may try to gain footholds in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and parts of Tajikistan, which could be a serious regional concern.
Afghanistan country profile. Afghanistan profile - Timeline. Who are the Taliban? Peace in the shadow of the Taliban? What could peace in Afghanistan look like? How do the Taliban make money? Why Afghanistan is more dangerous than ever. Uncovering Pakistan's secret human rights abuses. Image source, EPA. Fighting has been going on for 40 years - most Afghans can't remember a time of peace.
Why did the US fight a war in Afghanistan and why did it last so long? Image source, Reuters. The Afghan conflict became America's longest war. The militants slipped away and later regrouped.
Twenty years of conflict in Afghanistan — what happened when? September NATO temporarily deploys 2, additional troops to Afghanistan to support the provincial and parliamentary elections. In the lower house of parliament, 68 out of seats are reserved for female members, as are 23 out of seats in the upper house.
It is the first-ever meeting of ministers in ISAF format; after that, such meetings become a regular event. August Lead security responsibility for Kabul city is transferred to Afghan forces.
He also decides to deploy 4, troops to Afghanistan as trainers for the Afghan security forces. Its aim is to bring together efforts to train the Afghan forces. December Following a three-month review of the military campaign, President Obama decides on a troop surge involving the deployment of a further 30, troops, while also promising to start drawing down US troops by summer NATO foreign ministers announce the deployment of a further 7, soldiers.
The gradual transition to Afghan security lead is set to be launched in , starting in areas that are relatively stable. The Afghan president commits to strengthening the fight against corruption in exchange for continued international development aid. Over USD 4 billion is pledged to sustain the Afghan forces. But pressure is put on the government to hold inclusive, transparent and credible elections; to fight corruption and improve good governance; to uphold the constitution, especially human rights; and to enforce the rule of law.
Ratified by the Afghan Parliament in November, it provides the legal framework for a new NATO-led, non-combat mission "Resolute Support" to train, advise and assist the Afghan security forces and institutions, starting in January The Afghan security forces now have full security responsibility for Afghanistan.
While Afghan government forces struggle to slow Taliban momentum, Afghan civilians are suffering most. Recent reports of summary executions of captured Afghan soldiers , beating women who are considered to be immodestly dressed, forced marriages , and assassinations of civil society leaders and journalists have created a sense of panic among the population and led to a massive crisis of internal displacement.
Unfortunately, all of these scenarios have enormous human costs for Afghans and are unlikely to produce stability any time soon.
If the Afghan government holds out, it will remain weak and fragile and Taliban momentum will need to be reversed or stopped for a while before it is likely to negotiate any serious compromise political settlement.
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