The war season in AFG; why did the Taliban suffer a defeat in Andarab and Panjshir?

After escaping of Ashraf Ghani and the fall of former government by the Taliban, the core of the resistance was formed in two strategic areas of Afghanistan – Andarab and Panjshir– but with the cooperation of internal elements, the resistance did not last long and failed.

After approximately eight months of Taliban’s domination, it seems that Andarab and Panjshir have become a problematic issue for Taliban, once again.

But why the Taliban suffered a crushing defeat in Panjshir and Andarab in recent days?

Sources inside Taliban told Aamaj News that war is not as the first days of attacking on Panjshir, but standing against guerillas in such a complex and impassable region is difficult.

Local sources close to the National Resistance Front (NRF) say that Andarab and Panjshir have stood up against occupying forces at various periods of time in history and will continue to do so. A local resident told Aamaj News that there has never been an Andarabi house without a coffin of a martyr in different periods of time in history, which he believes is a sign of the manliness of the people of this area.

On the other hand, a Taliban source in Panjshir, on the condition of anonymity told Aamaj News that the local Taliban are not enthusiastic enough and lack resources to fight. On the contrary, when they see the corrupt officials of Taliban, they lose their motivation to fight.

But a local source in Andarab told Aamaj News that the main reason for the Taliban’s defeat in Andarab and Panjshir is that the non-Pashtun Taliban no longer have the sense of solidarity as they had before, and they are witnessing the mono-ethnic superiority of Taliban’s leadership. According to the source, the Uzbek Taliban in particular have been rewarded badly for their 20 years of fighting for the Taliban Emirate which had been a big lesson for the Tajik Taliban, too.

A commander of NRF believes that the Taliban’s defeat in these areas has different reasons including their corruption and lack of motivation.

“Guerillas of the NRF are setting their plans day by day, they are becoming organized and cooperative to fight against Taliban resorting to guerilla war principles,” he said.

He added that the victory of Taliban is impossible in these regions.

On the other hand, a former military official, who refused to be named, told Aamaj News that the Taliban are not capable to fight against the resistance guerrillas in Panjshir and Andarab. Additionally, it is not possible to go to war with hungry fighters, who have no special privilege.

“Apart from these factors, the lack of motivation for war and the lack of advanced air facilities have caused the defeat of the Taliban in Panjshir and Andarab,” he added.

A Taliban source also admitted that when Taliban fighters see some of their leaders are corrupt, and have managed to build a dream life and increased the number of their wives, they have no motivation to fight.

However, the Taliban refuse to comment on the Andarab and Panjshir conflict, but it seems to be a problematic issue for them. But whether the Taliban will win this war or not is the issue that the passage of time will show.