Conflicts & War

Afghan protesters shout anti-Taliban, anti-Pakistan slogans in Kabul

Kabul, Sep 7 (EFE).- A large number of people on Tuesday protested in various Afghan towns against the Taliban and Pakistan, building pressure on the Islamist militia ahead of the government formation.

The demonstrations began after Ahmad Massoud, leading the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRFA), Monday called for a national uprising against the Taliban and the alleged Pakistani interference.

In Kabul, hundreds of people took to the streets with flags and banners to demand “freedom” and their support for the ARFA, shouting “stop the war, stop the war,” and “Allahu Akbar” slogans.

The demonstrators protested against the Taliban militia that seized power in Kabul on Aug.15, when the Islamist movement took over.

Tolo news agency alleged that some Taliban gunmen took away its cameraman Waheed Ahmadi and snatched his equipment during a protest rally in Kabul.

At least two eyewitnesses who were part of the protest told EFE that the Taliban tried to disperse the demonstration with warning shots.

Taliban spokesman Bilal Karimi told EFE that he did not know the details about the incident.

He said the Taliban was open to listening to the demands of the protesters.

“We have no reports of shots being fired at protesters, we are gathering information about it,” he said.

Hundreds of women and men in Kabul came out in support of the NRFA and Ahmad Massoud, who have resisted the Taliban advance in the northern province of Panjshir.

The Taliban Monday claimed to have taken control of the province that was the only region that had not fallen into the hands of the Islamist militia, serving as a stronghold to the resistance.

The protesters shouted slogans like “long live the resistance, death to Pakistan.”

The Panjshir resistance has repeatedly accused Pakistan of providing military support to the Taliban, prompting condemnation from anti-Taliban sections, which view its rise to power as an invasion by the Pakistanis.

“Panjshir does not have food, medicine. All supply routes to Panjshir are blocked. Neither Taliban nor Pakistan has the right to invade Panjshir,” a protester told EFE.

“The people of Panjshir have the right to defend and the Taliban should use peaceful means to negotiate with leaders of the resistance forces.”

Massoud alleged that the Taliban had blocked communications, food, and aid to the region for days to pressure the surrender.

“Panjshir is burning in flames. Women and men are being massacred,” Salim Parwani, another protester, told EFE.

Parwani argued Pakistan had always supported the Taliban, and it was time for the Islamists to refuse support from Islamabad “if they want to rule Afghanistan.”

“Everything cannot be done by force. The Taliban should exercise patience and negotiate with Panjshir resistance.” EFE

azq-bks/ssk

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