On 17 August 2021, Amrullah Saleh — citing provisions of the Constitution of Afghanistan — declared himself President of Afghanistan from the Panjshir Valley, and vowed to continue military operations against the Taliban from there.[3] His claim to the presidency was endorsed by Ahmad Massoud and Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Minister of Defence Bismillah Khan Mohammadi.[3] At around the same time, remnants of the Afghan National Army began massing in the Panjshir Valley at the urging of Masoud.[4][3]