Ahmad Shah Massoud's son, who was a key figure in Afghanistan's anti-Soviet resistance during the 1980s, has stated that he will not hand over areas under his control to the Taliban.
According to the Dubai-based Al Arabiya TV channel, Ahmad Massoud called for the formation of a comprehensive government to rule the country with the Taliban's participation, warning that war will be "unavoidable" if the Taliban refuse to engage in dialogue.
Massoud is the son of a legendary Mujahideen commander who was assassinated two days before the September 11th attacks by al Qaeda.
The Taliban has dispatched 'hundreds' of fighters to the valley's last bastion.
Meanwhile, the Taliban announced that "hundreds" of its militants were en route to the Panjshir Valley, one of Afghanistan's few remaining uncontrolled areas.
"Hundreds of Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate are heading towards the state of Panjshir to control it after local state officials refused to hand it over peacefully," the group wrote on its Arabic Twitter account.
Although prepared for conflict, he prefers to negotiate.
Thousands of people have traveled to the northern Panjshir region since the Taliban took control of the country following a lightning strike on the capital Kabul, to both join the fight and find a safe haven to continue their lives, according to Ali Maisam Nazary, a spokesperson for Massoud's National Resistance Front (NRF).
Former Afghan government forces forming a militia in a fortified valley are preparing for "long-term conflict" but also want to negotiate with the Taliban, according to Nazary.
According to Nazary, Massoud has gathered a fighting force of around 9,000 people there.
AFP captured dozens of recruits doing fitness routines and a handful of armored humvees driving across the valley northeast of Kabul during training exercises.
The NRF's main goal is to prevent more bloodshed in Afghanistan and to press for a new government system.
However, Nazary stated that the group is also prepared for conflict and that if the Taliban refuses to negotiate, they will be forced to fight across the country.
"The conditions for a peace deal with the Taliban is decentralization –– a system that ensures social justice, equality, rights, and freedom for all," said Nazary, the NRF's head of foreign relations, adding that if the Taliban do not agree, there will be "long-term conflict"
'The Taliban are overworked.'
He added that talks between local leaders in Afghanistan's north and Pakistani authorities were ongoing until just a few days ago.
While the Taliban still control the majority of Afghanistan, Nazary expressed optimism about reports that local militias in some districts have begun to resist the Taliban's rule and have formed links with Massoud's NRF.
"Massoud did not give the order for these things to happen but they are all associated with us," Nazary claimed.
"The Taliban are overstretched. They cannot be everywhere at the same time. Their resources are limited. They do not have support amongst the majority."
'Saleh's anti-Pakistan position at conflict with Massoud'
He stated, however, that Massoud had different ideas to Amrullah Saleh, latterly the country's vice president who is also holed out in the valley and last week pledged to lead an uprising.
"Mr Saleh is in Panjshir. He elected to stay in the country and not flee," Nazary added, stressing Saleh's strong anti-Pakistan stance was at odds with Massoud who sought good relations with Islamabad.
"Mr. Saleh is anti-Taliban and anti-Pakistani. That does not mean he is a part of this movement. He is in Panjshir and he is respected."
The goal right now, according to Nazary, is to safeguard Panjshir and its people.
"If there is any aggression because our fight is only for defense; if anyone attacks us we will defend ourselves."
Taliban and Massoud are in negotiations.
Along with Massoud's fighting group, Panjshir currently houses more than 1,000 displaced Afghans who have flocked to the valley in search of safety, according to Nazary.
"We are seeing Panjshir become a safe zone for all those groups who feel threatened in other provinces."
He went on to say that the region has experienced an inflow of academics, women's and human rights advocates, and politicians "who feel threatened by the Taliban"
The Taliban, on the other hand, have shown a readiness to work with Massoud, his uncle Ahmad Wali, and other Panjshir officials.
On Saturday, Mohammad Naeem, a Taliban spokesman, stated that conversations and consultations were taking place in this regard.
Abdullah Abdullah, the Afghan government's main peace broker, and ex-President Hamid Karzai have also met with leaders to discuss the issue.
Massoud is looking for weapons from Western countries.
In an op-ed published in the Washington Post on Thursday, Massoud requested arms from the US. They also need humanitarian help, according to Nazary, to feed and care for the recently arrived.
Nazary stated that Massoud is resolved to stand by the people of the valley and take up his father's legacy, emphasizing the importance of a federated system of government in Afghanistan to break the country's ongoing cycle of violence.
"The struggle in Afghanistan has resulted in war as a byproduct. The war arose because Afghanistan is a country made up of ethnic minorities... (and) in a multi-ethnic society, one ethnic group cannot control politics while others exist on the sidelines."
Massoud's and others' resistance, according to Nazary, is critical in bringing about change in Afghanistan.
"Panjshir has always been a beacon of hope."
Russia, on the other hand, has stated that there is no alternative to the Taliban and that resistance to it will fail.
Dmitry Zhirnov, Russia's envoy to Afghanistan, stated last week that former Afghan officials from the Panjshir valley's efforts to hold out against the Taliban would fail.
"They have no plans to join the military. There aren't a lot of individuals present. They have 7,000 armed people, as far as we know. And they're already running out of gas. They attempted to fly a helicopter but were unable to do so due to a lack of fuel and supplies "he stated
