Negotiation fails, Taliban, rebel battle for last region

Panjshir, the last rebel stronghold in Afghanistan, is now a battleground as the Taliban move to take the region after upturning President Ashraf Ghani government middle of August.

Fighting between the Taliban fighters and resistance forces has now intensified in the northern province of Panjshir.

Residents in nearby areas of neighbouring Parwan province say it has been four days that their lives have been disrupted by the intensified battles between the Taliban and forces being commanded by Ahmad Massoud.

According to the Taliban leaders, attempts for a negotiated settlement have failed as the group prepares to announce the formation of a new government weeks after they captured power.

Some Afghan soldiers moved to the region, with equipment, to defend it. And Massoud said his group were not afraid of the Taliban, and they would defend their land.

“The fighting has gotten worse and worse with each night,” Asadullah, 52, told Al Jazeera.

While the fighting is going on the mountains, most residents have still fled the area.

No fewer than 400 families to flee from the villages along the road that would normally lead to Panjshir’s calm, green valleys – about 125km (78 miles) north of the capital, Kabul.