Heir to “Lion of Panjshir” returns

The son of Ahmad Shah Massoud – the legendary Afghan guerrilla leader who fought both the Soviets and the Taliban – is launching a new political coalition to counter the hardline Islamists


Aug 31, Kunduz: 20 Afghan security force members, five civilians and 56 militants killed in Taliban attack on city


Islamic State presence
IS has fighting force of 600-800 militants

Taliban: Controls 66 districts, fighting in 193 others. Population of 29m affected (89% of total)


Ahmad Shah Massoud
Dies of his injuries following assassination attempt by Al Qaeda, two days before 9/11 attacks on U.S. which kill almost 3,000 people

Shah Massoud
Only son, educated in Iran and at Sandhurst military academy in UK. Graduated in War Studies at King’s College London before returning to Afghanistan


Taliban presence by district (September 1)
Taliban control
Contested
Government / undetermined control

AFGHANISTAN 
Panjshir Valley
Kabul

200km 125 miles


Sources: AFP, CSIS, FDD’s Long War Journal 
Pictures: AFP / Getty Images
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