Taliban, Northern Alliance agree to stop attacking each other: sources

KABUL: In a major development in war-torn Afghanistan, the Taliban and Northern Alliance Thursday agreed to refrain from attacks against each other, Geo News reported, quoting sources.

After holding successful dialogues, the Taliban and Northern Alliance have decided that they will not attack each other, well-informed sources told Geo News.

Dialogues between the two sides took place over the last two days at the Charikar area of Parwan province.

The peace agreement will be announced during a press conference by the Taliban and Northern Alliance leaders, the sources added.

The details of a peace agreement were being finalised by the two sides, the sources added.

Panjshir valley: The most significant pocket of resistance against Taliban

The most significant pocket of resistance against the Taliban, among numerous others, following their takeover of Afghanistan, is in Panjshir Valley.

Comprising anti-Taliban militia fighters and former Afghan security forces, they vowed to resist as the Taliban send fighters to surround the area.

Both sides have said they want to resolve the standoff through talks in the past.

Geographic importance of the Panjshir Valley

Panjshir is a narrow valley deep in the Hindu Kush mountains, with its southern tip around 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of the capital Kabul.

The valley has limited entry points and its geography offers a natural military advantage — defending units can use high positions to effectively target attacking forces.

It also has immense symbolic value in Afghanistan as the area that has resisted occupation by invaders for more than a century.

Resistance from the valley — mainly inhabited by ethnic Tajik people — heavily shaped the political and security landscape of Afghanistan during the 1980s and 1990s.

Taliban besiege Panjshir valley

The Taliban have sent hundreds of fighters into the areas surrounding Panjshir, in an apparent attempt to lay siege and force a surrender.

Despite the escalation, Taliban spokesmen have said they would prefer to resolve the situation peacefully.

The NRF (National Resistance Front) had said it is open to talks with the Taliban on an inclusive government, and elders from the Panjshir Valley have reportedly spoken with Taliban officials.

The Taliban had said they are in control of at least three areas around Panjshir, and former VP Saleh has tweeted that a humanitarian crisis is developing because food and fuel supplies have been cut off.

While the NRF had vowed to resist any assault, it is unclear if they have the food, supplies, and ammunition to withstand a prolonged siege.