Heavy Fighting Erupts Between Taliban and Dissident Commander in Badakhshan

DID Press: Fighting between Taliban forces and fighters loyal to dissident Taliban commander Juma Khan Fateh is underway in Nusay district of northeastern Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province, according to local sources and an audio message attributed to Fateh.

Fighting reportedly began on Tuesday evening in Nusay and continued into Wednesday in the Shakh Dara and Khoghoz areas. Witnesses said Taliban forces attacked positions held by Fateh’s supporters, with heavy clashes continuing in the area.

In an audio message attributed to Fateh, the commander called on his supporters and local residents to “start the war against the Taliban.” The recording appears to indicate that Fateh is directly calling for armed resistance against Taliban forces.

Tensions between Fateh and the Taliban authorities have reportedly intensified in recent months over gold-mining activities in Badakhshan. Fateh, who previously served as a Taliban deputy governor in Zabul, reportedly refused to take up his post after the Badakhshan governor detained some of his associates. The Taliban leader subsequently removed him from his position.

Sources familiar with the dispute said Fateh recently traveled to Kabul and claimed to have met with the Taliban prime minister. However, the detention of people close to him and the closure of gold-mining operations reportedly contributed to the escalation of tensions and the latest clashes.

The scale of casualties and the current territorial situation could not be independently verified.