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Power Struggle Erupts Within Taliban Over Gold Mines in Badakhshan
Clashes erupt among Taliban factions in Badakhshan over control of gold mines. Reports say several fighters killed as Kabul sends reinforcements to capture a “rebel” commander.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-10-29
Power Struggle Erupts Within Taliban Over Gold Mines in Badakhshan

Disagreements within Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban regime have escalated into armed clashes in Badakhshan province, where rival factions are battling for control of lucrative gold mines.

According to Afghan media reports, the conflict centers around the Shahr-e-Buzurg district, where forces loyal to Abdul Rahman Ammar, the former Taliban-appointed head of the mining sector, are clashing with supporters of Shafiqullah Hafezi, his recently appointed successor.

Both men are powerful Taliban commanders in the region, and their confrontation marks one of the most serious internal disputes since the Taliban seized power in 2021.

Reports indicate that several Taliban fighters have been killed in the ongoing fighting, while Ammar and his loyalists have seized defensive positions in the surrounding mountains. The Taliban government has reportedly dispatched reinforcements from Kabul in an attempt to subdue what officials are describing as a “rebel” faction.

Afghanistan’s Chief of Armed Forces, Fasihuddin Fitrat, attempted to mediate between the two sides, but negotiations reportedly collapsed.

Some Afghan outlets report that Supreme Leader Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada has personally ordered the arrest of Abdul Rahman Ammar and his transfer to Kandahar. However, the operation has so far failed, and Ammar’s forces continue to hold their positions.

The gold mines in Badakhshan have long been a point of contention within Taliban ranks, as control over these sites provides access to significant revenue streams amid Afghanistan’s deepening economic crisis.

Analysts say the clashes highlight growing internal divisions within the Taliban government — not only over money and resources but also over regional authority and loyalty to central leadership.

As of now, the situation in Badakhshan remains tense, with fears that continued infighting could destabilize one of Afghanistan’s most strategic and mineral-rich provinces.
Tagged:

Afghanistan

Taliban

Badakhshan

GoldMines

TalibanClashes
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