Two years after the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan, armed resistance groups continue to fight the Taliban but struggle with little success. The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF) and Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) have shifted to guerilla warfare tactics, attempting to exhaust the Taliban without foreign aid. The resistance faces substantial challenges, such as lack of funding, weapons, international support, and effective communication routes with neighboring countries. A perception that the U.S. supports the Taliban and internal squabbles among anti-Taliban groups further hampers their efforts.
Key Points:
- Resistance Groups: The NRF, led by Ahmad Massoud, and AFF continue to oppose the Taliban. These groups are shifting strategies to unconventional warfare to challenge the Taliban’s grip on the country.
- Challenges and Limitations: The resistance lacks foreign support, funding, and communication routes with neighboring countries, hindering large-scale operations. The NRF and AFF are unable to garner significant aid from abroad due to the perception that the U.S. supports the Taliban and the leadership of former government officials in the resistance.
- Internal Squabbles and Public Perception: Disagreements among the anti-Taliban resistance groups are preventing unification and effective operations. The view that the U.S. handed over the government to the Taliban has led to a sentiment that the Taliban enjoys U.S. support, dampening the will to stand against them.
- The Taliban’s Stance and International Response: The Taliban does not consider the resistance a serious threat and is focusing on governance and economic projects. The international community, including the U.S., is reluctant to support the resistance, citing previous failures and an unwillingness to see a return to conflict in Afghanistan.
- Human Rights and Women’s Issues: Since the Taliban’s takeover, Afghanistan has faced political, economic, and humanitarian crises, and women have been banned from public life. The resistance emphasizes that the conflict is not isolated and represents a continuation of the Global War on Terrorism.
Source: https://taskandpurpose.com/news/afghanistan-anti-taliban-resistance-groups/