Taliban Confirms Internal Clashes in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan Province
The Taliban has confirmed an outbreak of armed conflict among its own members in Shuhada district of Badakhshan province, amid growing internal tensions. A spokesman for the Taliban police command in Badakhshan stated that following a confrontation with a group of 12 armed men, a Taliban commander named Abdul Halim Hamidi was killed.
While local sources report that the clashes erupted between fighters loyal to Abdul Rahman Ammar—a former Taliban mining commander—and non-local Taliban forces, the Taliban police spokesman claimed the conflict involved “unidentified armed individuals,” denying it was an internal factional dispute. Nevertheless, sources say Ammar has fled with his forces to mountainous areas and has not yet been apprehended.
The Taliban spokesperson also rejected reports of continued fighting, asserting that the situation is now under control. However, local sources maintain that tensions persist and Ammar’s forces are still resisting.
Local sources confirmed that Fasihuddin Fitrat, Chief of the General Staff of Afghanistan’s Taliban-led army, arrived in Shuhada district last night to intervene and help contain the crisis. The Taliban also stated that a delegation has been sent to the district to investigate the matter.
The continued internal strife within the Taliban ranks is raising concerns over political and security stability in Afghanistan’s northeastern provinces. Residents say the situation has heightened insecurity and instability in Badakhshan.
