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Fresh fighting was reported Saturday between the Taliban and resistance forces in Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley, as the hardline Islamists finalise a new government that will set the tone for their rule.
Facing the challenge of morphing from insurgents to rulers, the Taliban appear determined to snuff out the Panjshir resistance before announcing who will lead the country in the aftermath of Monday's US troop withdrawal, which was supposed to end two decades of war.
But Panjshir, which held out for nearly a decade against the Soviet Union's occupation and also the Taliban's first rule from 1996-2001, is stubbornly holding out.
Fighters from the so-called National Resistance Front (NRF) -- made up of anti-Taliban militia and former Afghan security forces -- are understood to have stockpiled a significant armoury in the valley, around 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Kabul and guarded by a narrow gorge.
Here are the LIVE updates on the Afghanistan Crisis:
Women Attending Private Afghan Universities To Wear Niqab, Cover Face: TalibanWomen attending private Afghan universities must wear an abaya robe and niqab covering most of the face, the Taliban have ordered, and classes must be segregated by sex -- or at least divided by a curtain." itemprop="description
Have Entered Capital Of Holdout Province Panjshir, Say TalibanThe Taliban said on Sunday their forces had fought their way into the provincial capital of Panjshir, the valley where opposition forces have been holding out since the fall of Kabul three weeks ago." itemprop="description
Pope Francis Hopes Many Nations Take Afghan Refugees And Young Are EducatedPope Francis said on Sunday that he was praying that many countries take Afghan refugees and, in an apparent reference to the Taliban's past restrictions on schooling for women, said it is essential that young Afghans receive an education." itemprop="description
Top US General On Afghanistan: My Military Estimate... Civil War LikelyAfghanistan will "likely" erupt in civil war, the top US general told US media Saturday, warning that those conditions could see a resurgence of terrorist groups in the country." itemprop="description
Over 600 From Taliban Killed In Holdout Panjshir, Claim Resistance ForcesAbout 600 Taliban terrorists have been killed in Afghanistan's northeastern province of Panjshir, Sputnik reported quoting the Afghan resistance forces on Saturday." itemprop="description
Negotiate Political Solution With Taliban: Afghan Ex-Vice-President Amrullah Saleh To UNHighlighting the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Panjshir valley, former Afghanistan Vice President Amrullah Saleh has called on United Nations to do its utmost to prevent the Taliban's onslaught into the resistance stronghold." itemprop="description
Taliban Being Micromanaged By Pakistan's ISI, Says Afghan Ex-Vice President: Report Afghan civil war 'likely': top US general
Afghanistan will "likely" erupt in civil war, the top US general told US media Saturday, warning that those conditions could see a resurgence of terrorist groups in the country.
As American forces began their withdrawal, the Taliban took over Afghanistan in a lightning campaign, with only the northern province Panjshir holding out against the hardline Islamists.
"My military estimate... is that the conditions are likely to develop of a civil war," General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told Fox News.
He questioned whether the Taliban -- who are yet to declare a government -- would be able to consolidate power and establish effective governance.
"I think there's at least a very good probability of a broader civil war and that will then in turn lead to conditions that could, in fact, lead to a reconstitution of Al-Qaeda or a growth of ISIS or other... terrorist groups," Milley said.
Taliban battle for Panjshir as US warns of Afghanistan civil war
Taliban fighters advanced deep into the last holdout province of Panjshir Sunday, as the top US general warned Afghanistan faces a wider civil war that would offer fertile ground for a resurgence of terrorism.
Following their lightning fast rout of Afghanistan's army last month -- and celebrations when the last US troops flew out after 20 years of war on Monday -- the Taliban are seeking to crush resistance forces defending the mountainous Panjshir Valley.
The Taliban, who rolled into Kabul three weeks ago at a speed that analysts say likely surprised even the hardline Islamists themselves, are yet to finalise their new regime.
But US General Mark Milley questioned whether they can consolidate power as they seek to shift from a guerrilla force to government.
"I think there's at least a very good probability of a broader civil war," said Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in a bleak assessment.
"That will then in turn lead to conditions that could, in fact, lead to a reconstitution of Al-Qaeda or a growth of ISIS (Islamic State group)," he told Fox News Saturday.
Taliban push deep into Afghanistan's holdout Panjshir Valley
Taliban fighters have advanced deep into Afghanistan's holdout Panjshir Valley, with resistance fighters saying they are keeping the Islamists at bay, but analysts warned they are struggling.
Italian aid agency Emergency, which runs a hospital in Panjshir, said Taliban forces had reached the village of Anabah, where they run a surgical centre.
"Many people have fled from local villages in recent days," Emergency said in a statement Saturday, adding it was continuing to provide medical services.
"There has so far been no interference with Emergency's activities," it said.
"We have received a small number of wounded people at the Anabah Surgical Centre."
Anabah lies some 25 kilometres (15 miles) north inside the 115-km-long valley, but unconfirmed reports suggested the Taliban had seized other areas too.
Will "Assist" Taliban In Forming Inclusive Administration: Pak Army Chief
Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday told British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab that Islamabad will "assist" the Taliban to form an inclusive administration in neighbouring Afghanistan. Read more
First Afghan Cricket Team In Taliban Era Arrives In Bangladesh
Afghanistan's Under-19 team began to arrive in Bangladesh Saturday to play a short series, an official said, the first Afghan cricket team to play abroad following the Taliban takeover.
They will play five one-dayers and a four-day match against Bangladesh's Under-19 team at the Sylhet International Stadium between September 10 to 25.
"The first group of eight players arrived in Dhaka today. The remaining players will arrive in two other groups," said Rabeed Imam, a Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) spokesman.
They are the first Afghan team to play international cricket in any form since the Taliban took control of much of their country in mid-August.
Imam said the Afghan athletes left for the northeastern city of Sylhet immediately after they arrived in Dhaka.
Nearly 600 Taliban Killed In Afghanistan's Panjshir, Claim Resistance Forces
About 600 Taliban have been killed in Afghanistan's northeastern province of Panjshir, Sputnik reported quoting the Afghan resistance forces on Saturday.
"About 600 Taliban have been liquidated in various districts of Panjshir since morning. More than 1,000 Taliban have been captured or surrendered themselves," the resistance forces' spokesperson Fahim Dashti tweeted.
The spokesperson further added that the Taliban had problems with getting supplies from other Afghan provinces, Sputnik reported.
