Under the title "Pentagon: Our Mission in Afghanistan Has Ended and We Will Not Assist Panjshir," the Arabic website reported that despite renewed attacks and fierce fighting between the parties in recent hours, the "Afghan National Resistance Front" against the Taliban in the Panjshir Valley, northeast of the Afghan capital Kabul, appears to be left alone. In response to a question about the possibility of providing assistance to the anti-Taliban forces in Panjshir, U.S. Department of Defense spokesman John Kirby stated during a press conference held Thursday night, "The U.S. military mission in Afghanistan has ended." However, he confirmed that his country reserves the right to "carry out strikes to combat terrorism from abroad if necessary to respond to any threats to U.S. interests and territory." He further explained that "this is what we intend to do, but it is completely different from executing a long-term military mission in Afghanistan."
#### Clashes and Heavy Losses
Elements of the Taliban and fighters loyal to local leader Ahmad Massoud in the Panjshir Valley, known as the National Resistance Front, exchanged mutual attacks and engaged against each other on Thursday. Both sides claimed to have inflicted heavy casualties on the other. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid stated, "We began operations after negotiations with the local armed group failed," adding that Taliban fighters had entered Panjshir and taken control of some areas, asserting that "the enemies suffered heavy losses," as he put it. A spokesperson for the Resistance Front confirmed that their fighters were in complete control of all passages and entrances and had thwarted attempts to seize control of the Shotal area at the valley's entrance. He also added that Front forces had killed many Taliban fighters on two fronts since clashes first erupted earlier this week. It is noteworthy that Panjshir is the last region in Afghanistan resisting Taliban rule, considered the stronghold of the prominent leader Ahmad Massoud, son of Ahmad Shah Massoud, a notable figure in the Afghan resistance who was assassinated in 2001.
