Armed clashes with Taliban spread to several districts in Badakhshan
Armed clashes in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province have spread to several districts, as fighting continues in Nasi district between Taliban administration forces and fighters loyal to Juma Khan Fateh. The Afghanistan Freedom Front has also reported clashes with Taliban administration forces in Zibak district.
In a statement issued today, Sunday, 25 Asad, the Afghanistan Freedom Front said fighting was under way in several areas of Zibak district between its forces and Taliban administration troops. The group claimed that Taliban administration forces suffered heavy casualties and damage in the clashes and were in retreat.
Local Taliban officials in Badakhshan have not yet commented on the fighting. The claims made by the Afghanistan Freedom Front have also not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, clashes are also continuing in Nasi district between Taliban administration forces and supporters of Juma Khan Fateh. According to a source, Taliban administration forces have gathered in the districts of Maimi and Shaki and intend to move toward Nasi.
Available information indicates that the fighting in Nasi began last week. The Taliban administration has so far not issued any formal statement on its forces’ battle with Juma Khan Fateh’s supporters.
In an audio file attributed to Juma Khan Fateh, he said his war is not with the Taliban administration, but with the group’s units in Badakhshan. He accused these units, which he said are made up of non-local fighters, of killing civilians.
Badakhshan is one of Afghanistan’s northeastern provinces, and several of its districts have seen security tensions and sporadic clashes in recent months. Zibak and Nasi districts are located in the mountainous parts of the province.
