Taliban Governor in Balkh Orders Northern Commanders to Stay on Alert

Yousuf Wafa, the Taliban governor in Balkh, issued an alert order at a meeting with the group’s military commanders in the north and called on them to take decisive action against any security developments. The meeting was held on Friday night in the Balkh provincial compound.

Atullah Zaid, the Taliban governor’s spokesman in Balkh, told Afghanistan International on Saturday, 11 Mizan, that Wafa had summoned former soldiers and Taliban unit commanders to the meeting. He added that Wafa asked the forces to remain ready, with the weapons and equipment at their disposal, to confront any possible threats.

According to Zaid, Ghawsuddin Rahbar, deputy commander of the Taliban’s Central Army Corps, was also present at the meeting. The military officials attending the meeting pledged to sacrifice again to preserve the Taliban’s system and to respond decisively to any armed action.

Wafa is one of the people close to Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and is in charge of the northern zone provinces. The meeting came as reports in recent days pointed to increased activity by anti-Taliban fronts in the northern provinces.