Afghan Conflict: Iran, Taliban Clashes Appear to Subside

[Insaanistan]

NRFers try to silence critics.

Digital Taliban doing the very thing I expected them to. With no physical resistance, they try to up their digital one.

Considering Antonio Guterres himself quite literally just said the NRF is active in the country & regularly attacking the Taliban, and Hamid Khorasani just told Panjshir to surrender, I highly suggest you re-evaluate the “there is no physical resistance” theory.

[Nociav]

NRFers try to silence critics.

Digital Taliban doing the very thing I expected them to. With no physical resistance, they try to up their digital one.

Considering Antonio Guterres himself quite literally just said the NRF is active in the country & regularly attacking the Taliban, and Hamid Khorasani just told Panjshir to surrender, I highly suggest you re-evaluate the “there is no physical resistance” theory.

Ahem:

Like the Taliban, Karzai was a Pashtun who respected the same age-old tribal traditions for resolving armed conflicts. Those traditions revolved around demonstrating who was the strongest – using violence if necessary. Once that had become clear and the loser had acknowledged the winner, it was time for various forms of amnesty that would allow the losing group to ‘take part’ again, but in accordance with the new balance of power.

Exactly why Khorasani, Yaqoob, Fasihuddin, etc. asked the NRF to come to an agreement.

Antonio Guterres' exact words:

“Some are attributed to the National Resistance Front comprising some Afghan opposition figures, and those associated with the former government,” he said. “These groups have been primarily operating in Panjshir province and Baghlan’s Andarab district but have not made significant territorial inroads”, although “armed clashes are regularly documented, along with forced displacement and communication outages”.

He acknowledged reports of NRF activity. He didn't confirm their truthfulness. Really stretching things to the limit aren't we?

[Insaanistan]

Considering Antonio Guterres himself quite literally just said the NRF is active in the country & regularly attacking the Taliban, and Hamid Khorasani just told Panjshir to surrender, I highly suggest you re-evaluate the “there is no physical resistance” theory.

Ahem:

Like the Taliban, Karzai was a Pashtun who respected the same age-old tribal traditions for resolving armed conflicts. Those traditions revolved around demonstrating who was the strongest – using violence if necessary. Once that had become clear and the loser had acknowledged the winner, it was time for various forms of amnesty that would allow the losing group to ‘take part’ again, but in accordance with the new balance of power.

Antonio Guterres' exact words:

“Some are attributed to the National Resistance Front comprising some Afghan opposition figures, and those associated with the former government,” he said. “These groups have been primarily operating in Panjshir province and Baghlan’s Andarab district but have not made significant territorial inroads”, although “armed clashes are regularly documented, along with forced displacement and communication outages”.

He acknowledged reports of NRF activity. He didn't confirm their truthfulness. Really stretching things to the limit aren't we?

Re-read that.

“These groups have been primarily operating in Panjshir province and Baghlan’s Andarab district but have not made significant territorial inroads”

While he states that they have not made significant territorial in roads (Afghanistan has nearly 100 provinces, of which the NRF claims to have land in 7), he says they are currently operating the country.

[Nociav]

Ahem:



Antonio Guterres' exact words:



He acknowledged reports of NRF activity. He didn't confirm their truthfulness. Really stretching things to the limit aren't we?

Re-read that.

“These groups have been primarily operating in Panjshir province and Baghlan’s Andarab district but have not made significant territorial inroads”

While he states that they have not made significant territorial in roads (Afghanistan has nearly 100 provinces, of which the NRF claims to have land in 7), he says they are currently operating the country.

There is no good evidence of the NRF having any territory. None whatsoever.

Their resistance was reduced from 6000 fighting men occupying the entirety of Panjshir to a hand few militiamen holed up in the mountains with their leaders sat comfortably in Dushanbe (or Moscow since Massoud is allegedly negotiating with the Taliban again there). I'm perfectly comfortable I saying there is no physical resistance.

By the way, Afghanistan has 34 provinces and 325 Districts. I don't know where you getting the number 100 from.

[Nociav]

UNAMA reports public universities will open tomorrow for both girls and boys.

[Insaanistan]

Re-read that.

While he states that they have not made significant territorial in roads (Afghanistan has nearly 100 provinces, of which the NRF claims to have land in 7), he says they are currently operating the country.

There is no good evidence of the NRF having any territory. None whatsoever.

Their resistance was reduced from 6000 fighting men occupying the entirety of Panjshir to a hand few militiamen holed up in the mountains with their leaders sat comfortably in Dushanbe (or Moscow since Massoud is allegedly negotiating with the Taliban again there). I'm perfectly comfortable I saying there is no physical resistance.

By the way, Afghanistan has 34 provinces and 325 Districts. I don't know where you getting the number 100 from.

The 100 was from me thinking about something different than what I was typing about: the general distance of Panjshir from Kabul (I’ve seen measurements of 70 miles to 100).

[A White Africa]

Russian envoy says possibility of large resistance against Taliban in spring. Rules out NRF and says ISKP is the only threat.

I didn't see ISKP nor NRF mentioned, only ethnic discord.

[Nociav]

Russian envoy says possibility of large resistance against Taliban in spring. Rules out NRF and says ISKP is the only threat.

I didn't see ISKP nor NRF mentioned, only ethnic discord.

Bad wording on my part. It should have read "Ruled out NRF and said ISKP is the only threat prior."

His stance on the NRF can be found here:

https://twitter.com/AfghanAnalyst2/stat ... 7652162563

[A White Africa]

Bad wording on my part. It should have read "Ruled out NRF and said ISKP is the only threat prior."

His stance on the NRF can be found here:

https://twitter.com/AfghanAnalyst2/stat ... 7652162563

Thanks for the clarification! But yea, I would've had that link to the tweet rather than this article, then link the article separately.

For as much as he downplays the NRF as virtual, the Iranians and Russians sure do seem eager for it & the Taliban to come to terms. That means they must see potential for it.

It's pretty clear that at least these two states see conflict between Pashtun and Khorasani units of the Taliban on the horizon, with breakaway factions either fighting on their own, or get scooped up by ISKP and NRF.

At day's end, no one is suggesting a deadline for when ISKP terror attacks nor NRF alpine transit should be conclusively quashed. There is less onus on them to grow by virtue of their operations than there is for them to stick around long enough to feast on civil discord.

[Hispida]

Bad wording on my part. It should have read "Ruled out NRF and said ISKP is the only threat prior."

His stance on the NRF can be found here:

https://twitter.com/AfghanAnalyst2/stat ... 7652162563

Thanks for the clarification! But yea, I would've had that link to the tweet rather than this article, then link the article separately.

For as much as he downplays the NRF as virtual, the Iranians and Russians sure do seem eager for it & the Taliban to come to terms. That means they must see potential for it.

It's pretty clear that at least these two states see conflict between Pashtun and Khorasani units of the Taliban on the horizon, with breakaway factions either fighting on their own, or get scooped up by ISKP and NRF.

At day's end, no one is suggesting a deadline for when ISKP terror attacks nor NRF alpine transit should be conclusively quashed. There is less onus on them to grow by virtue of their operations than there is for them to stick around long enough to feast on civil discord.

i mean, of course iran and russia have hopes for the NRF. it's the only way they can have any sort of control over the region. the taliban are aligning more to the PRC and the old US government is long gone.

[New Tryphalia]

Thanks for the clarification! But yea, I would've had that link to the tweet rather than this article, then link the article separately.

For as much as he downplays the NRF as virtual, the Iranians and Russians sure do seem eager for it & the Taliban to come to terms. That means they must see potential for it.

It's pretty clear that at least these two states see conflict between Pashtun and Khorasani units of the Taliban on the horizon, with breakaway factions either fighting on their own, or get scooped up by ISKP and NRF.

At day's end, no one is suggesting a deadline for when ISKP terror attacks nor NRF alpine transit should be conclusively quashed. There is less onus on them to grow by virtue of their operations than there is for them to stick around long enough to feast on civil discord.

i mean, of course iran and russia have hopes for the NRF. it's the only way they can have any sort of control over the region. the taliban are aligning more to the PRC and the old US government is long gone.

The PRC-Pakistan-Afghanistan connection ain't exactly new. We really need to shake hands with Modi and become fast friends with him.

[Nociav]

NRF tries to bribe independent journalist to provoke ethnic tensions. Offer gets rejected.

[Insaanistan]

NRF tries to bribe independent journalist to provoke ethnic tensions. Offer gets rejected.

Alternative title: Journalist Based in Country Ruled by Group That Silences Dissent Claims Without Evidence That Spokesman of the Group Against Said Group Tried to Bribe Him

[Nociav]

NRF tries to bribe independent journalist to provoke ethnic tensions. Offer gets rejected.

Alternative title: Journalist Based in Country Ruled by Group That Silences Dissent Claims Without Evidence That Spokesman of the Group Against Said Group Tried to Bribe Him

Implication: Taliban forced or intimidated him to say it
Proof: "trust me"

No, I don't think I will.

NRFers can deny it to the ends of the Earth. He has no reason to lie. The requirements fit the NRF's fake news campaign. But of course, it must be false because NRF can do no evil.

[Insaanistan]

Alternative title: Journalist Based in Country Ruled by Group That Silences Dissent Claims Without Evidence That Spokesman of the Group Against Said Group Tried to Bribe Him

Implication: Taliban forced or intimidated him to say it
Proof: "trust me"

No, I don't think I will.

NRFers can deny it to the ends of the Earth. He has no reason to lie. The requirements fit the NRF's fake news campaign. But of course, it must be false because NRF can do no evil.

No, the NRF can definitely do evil (let’s not forget, there are prominent members of the NRF who were actual gangsters before all this).

But I am saying I don’t trust him because he’s living under a terrorist grouping that’s known for… how should I put this… not being the most truthful.

I’m reminded of when Swiss journalists went to Panjshir in October and (on video) asked Taliban officials if the Resistance was over & defeated, and they said yes. As they moved on to other questions, gunshots were heard in the distance. They again asked whether or not the resistance was over, and the official maintained his answer.

The interview was cut short because (as the journalists were able to record), the Taliban had to rush off because there was a battle going on with the NRF (according to the Swiss journalists, the NRF inflicted heavy casualties and won the engagement).

If I see actual Taliban officials, or even better, someone neither the Taliban nor the NRF also claiming this, I’m more likely to believe it, because the Taliban have shown us that they’re incredibly untrustworthy (just ask the 100+ Afghans they killed that were supposed to be protected under “amnesty”).

[Nociav]

Implication: Taliban forced or intimidated him to say it
Proof: "trust me"

No, I don't think I will.

NRFers can deny it to the ends of the Earth. He has no reason to lie. The requirements fit the NRF's fake news campaign. But of course, it must be false because NRF can do no evil.

No, the NRF can definitely do evil (let’s not forget, there are prominent members of the NRF who were actual gangsters before all this).

But I am saying I don’t trust him because he’s living under a terrorist grouping that’s known for… how should I put this… not being the most truthful.

I’m reminded of when Swiss journalists went to Panjshir in October and (on video) asked Taliban officials if the Resistance was over & defeated, and they said yes. As they moved on to other questions, gunshots were heard in the distance. They again asked whether or not the resistance was over, and the official maintained his answer.

The interview was cut short because (as the journalists were able to record), the Taliban had to rush off because there was a battle going on with the NRF (according to the Swiss journalists, the NRF inflicted heavy casualties and won the engagement).

If I see actual Taliban officials, or even better, someone neither the Taliban nor the NRF also claiming this, I’m more likely to believe it, because the Taliban have shown us that they’re incredibly untrustworthy (just ask the 100+ Afghans they killed that were supposed to be protected under “amnesty”).

Do I really have to stress this.

This guy isn't Taliban.

Your argument "I don't trust journalists who live under the Taliban" is a terrible argument. Let's throw out all the good work of Pajhwok, Spogmai, Ariana, and the other independent news agencies as well shall we?

[Nociav]

US confirms that cash shipments to Afghanistan for humanitarian reasons are exempt from sanctions.

[Saiwania]

US confirms that cash shipments to Afghanistan for humanitarian reasons are exempt from sanctions.

It's an outrage in my view, Afghanistan shouldn't be getting a single cent. The US just left the place and there is no point to that if the US doesn't wash it's hands of what happens there.

[Nociav]

US confirms that cash shipments to Afghanistan for humanitarian reasons are exempt from sanctions.

It's an outrage in my view, Afghanistan shouldn't get getting a single cent. The US just left the place and there is no point to that if the US doesn't wash it's hands of what happens there.

> Invade
> Raze villages
> Install a self-serving kleptocracy
> Harm the average Afghan
> Revive the Taliban
> Leave

[Evil Wolf]

> Invade
> Raze villages
> Install a self-serving kleptocracy
> Harm the average Afghan
> Revive the Taliban
> Leave

A whole lot of wrong in those claims.

America revived the Taliban? How? America raised villages? Is the USA the USSR now? Yes, Afghans died in the war, but America wasn't "razing villages", Mỹ Lai style, and there is no evidence to support your wild fantasy. As for harming the average Afghan, I seem to recall Afghanistan suffering horrifically under the hands of quasi-religious fanatics who ruled as despots. It is unfortunate that those same despots could not have been defeated, but you can't say that America didn't at least try for 20 years.

You might want to do a quick fact check next time you want to make things up.

[Nociav]

America revived the Taliban? How?

By head hunting a defeated and surrendered Taliban looking to stop fighting after being offered amnesty by Karzai. Mullah Omar allegedly approached Karzai with a surrender offer. We know several other senior Taliban leaders did as well. Guess what pig-headed president and his even more pig-headed defence secretary rejected their offers.

America raised villages? Is the USA the USSR now? Yes, Afghans died in the war, but America wasn't "razing villages", Mỹ Lai style, and there is no evidence to support your wild fantasy.

A company from another battalion—1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment—suffered 23 casualties from improvised explosive devices in a village in a night filled with shouts of “IED! IED!,” “Who’s hit?,” and “Don’t move!” “I think I used six tourniquets,” said Lieutenant Nicholas Williams. The soldiers razed the village in response.

- from "The American War in Afghanistan" by Carter Malkasian

As for harming the average Afghan, I seem to recall Afghanistan suffering horrifically under the hands of quasi-religious fanatics who ruled as despots. It is unfortunate that those same despots could not have been defeated, but you can't say that America didn't at least try for 20 years.

Well done. Here's a gold medal for your attempts. At least you tried.

I entirely agree with Malkasian's view:

With that [the final chapter of the book] in mind, we must confront a moral reality. The United States may have done more harm than good. Afghanistan’s history since 1978 has been a story of trying to end civil war. The Taliban regime brought a few years of uneven respite before America’s arrival jump-started the trauma. The Taliban were far from good. They oppressed women, hollowed out education, and silenced free speech. Our intervention did noble work in these spheres. But that good may not balance out the violence, death, and injury. Without our intervention, Afghans would have been deprived and oppressed, but alive. We should stand back and ask: In the name of stopping terrorism for our own sake, did we liberate, or oppress, the Afghan people?

You might want to do a quick fact check next time you want to make things up.

So confident for someone incorrect.

[Insaanistan]

Taliban Sending Fighters to Panjshir to Suppress Resistance

[Insaanistan]

Pro-NRF Accounts Claiming Daikundi’s Head of Urban & Land Development Has Defected After Hearing the Taliban Planned to Arrest Him

No independent confirmation, I’ll believe it when I see.

[A White Africa]

> Invade
> Raze villages
> Install a self-serving kleptocracy
> Harm the average Afghan
> Revive the Taliban
> Leave

I would actually say yes. The Taliban had plenty of time to push for reparations at Doha. To unilaterally offer x, y and z favors (dropping sanctions, helping rebuild, etc.) is rather unusual in the historical record; it's basically always obtained through surrender and treaty.

They wanted us out, and we left. Like the Civil War's "Battle of the Crater" (Siege of Petersburg), they blew a hole in the enemy, triumphantly rushed in and now have to cope with falling into a pit of their own design.

[Nociav]

"Liberation Front of Afghanistan" created.

For a recap, there is currently:

ISKP
NRF
Andarab Resistance Front
Supreme Council of National Resistance
Lost Soldiers of the Hazarajat

and probably some more groups that I forgot about.