Why the Taliban were in such a hurry to take Panjshir - an explanation from a Western observer
The photo shows the Afghan army before the capture of the country by the Taliban *
Representatives of the Western expert community are trying to explain the situation in which the Taliban terrorist group (* banned in Russia) needed to take control of Panjshir as soon as possible.
Recall that the Panjshir province until recently remained in fact the last territory of Afghanistan not controlled by the Taliban *. However, in the end, it took the Taliban about 10 days to gain control over the Panjshir Valley, in which the forces of Ahmad Masud were trying to gain a foothold.
Columnist Enrico Refoyo answers the question of why the Taliban were in such a hurry to take control of Panjshir. According to him, it was extremely important for the Taliban "not to repeat the mistakes of the 1990s, when they decided that the Northern Alliance could be dealt with later, at any time." Then the forces of the "Northern Alliance" under the command of Masoud Sr. pretty much "spoiled the blood" of the Taliban and did not allow terrorists to settle in Panjshir.
Refoyo also notes that Panjshir is strategically important. The Panjshir Valley is "the gateway from Afghanistan to China." Taking into account the fact that today pragmatic relations are being established between the Taliban and China and that the Taliban leaders visited China, meeting high-ranking Chinese officials there, we can unequivocally talk about the importance for the Taliban of direct communication with China, which is developing its infrastructure even in the conditions of highlands in the west of the country.
At the same time, a Western observer writes that "the troops of Massoud are not surrendering." They also understand the strategic importance of the Panjshir.
Refoyo:
Radical Islamists can commit genocide in a recalcitrant valley. The Russians, when they fought with the father of the "Panjshir lion cub", did not think about it, but this is a common occurrence for radical Islamists. If the Taliban fully settle in Panjshir, then many local Tajiks will have to flee to Tajikistan. That is why the people of ethnic Tajik Masud are fighting for their lives, while Masud himself continues to lead his troops into the valley to counter the Taliban.
At the same time, a Western observer makes a rather strange remark, stating that "the military professionalism of the Taliban leaves much to be desired" than, according to him, the troops of Massoud Jr. can take advantage.
Further, Refoyo concretizes his statement with the words that if it were not for the Pakistani special forces, the Taliban would not have been able to take the Panjshir.
Information