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Whispers is an intelligence and analysis column focused on post-democratic Afghanistan
As Afghanistan's Insurgency Evolves to War, How Do Taliban and Resistance Forces Compare?
The past ten days witnessed a tectonic shift in tactics in Afghanistan. Shortly after the ripple of horrific bomb attacks attributed to ISIS-K and the desecration of Ahmad Shah Masoud’s grave, the resistance forces, comprised of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF) and several smaller resistance groups, launched their long-awaited offensive….
LAST 24 HOURS:
Multiple sources report the family of Commander Haji Malik, the Taliban’s Chief of Intelligence in Panjshir, has confirmed that he has defected and joined the NRF. Malik had been under arrest by the Taliban for a short time prior to his appointment as Intel Chief. Reportedly the Commander brought nearly 100 defectors and equipment with him.
The Central Bank received another installment of $32 million US dollars.
Sources provided video footage of Taliban helicopters evacuating wounded and dead Taliban fighters from the front in Panjshir. The Sardar Dawood Khan hospital said the flights had delivered 27 bodies and an unspecified number of wounded. Staff was told to expect more flights to arrive.
Major Taliban troop movements were conducted to attempt to reinforce Taliban units fighting in Panjshir. Convoys carrying several thousand Taliban fighters arrived from Kandahar, Khost, Helmand, and Uruzgan provinces.
Sources witnessed drones fly out of Tajikistan and into Afghanistan yesterday. The drones did not appear to be armed. We believe the reports are credible and are a response to the reports of ISIS-K rockets targeting Tajik soil. Both the Taliban and Tajik government deny any rocket attack took place.
NEXT 24 HOURS:
Fighting is expected to continue across the North. Sources in the resistance stated the Taliban made a “fatal error” when they pulled troops from neighboring provinces to fight in Panjshir. The meaning of this statement is not yet clear, but we assess that attacks by groups and militias allied with the NRF may soon begin in provinces surrounding Panjshir.
More air assets may be put in action in the North. Sources stated mechanics have been working non-stop to try and repair helicopters that have not flown since the Taliban took over the country. Ministry of the Interior teams are actively searching for former Afghan Army aviation mechanics and have orders to force them to work on the aircraft if necessary.
Afghanistan’s neighbors are expected to increase security along the borders in response to the fighting.
At-risk Afghans residing in Taliban controlled territory are encouraged to avoid wearing clothing that could denote their ties to the North. As casualties mount and the façade of calm evaporates, family and friends of the slain may launch reprisals against ethnic minorities who hail from the North.
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 86.13 AFN (as of 9 MAY 2022)
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