Clashes erupted in Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province on Monday as Taliban forces clashed with local farmers over the clearing of poppy crops. The incident occurred in the Argo district, where poppy cultivators protested against the destruction of their crops.
According to residents, farmers threw rocks at Taliban security units tasked with clearing the fields, demanding that their crops not be destroyed. In response, the Taliban authorities reportedly fired their guns to disperse the villagers.
A nurse at a medical facility in Argo confirmed receiving casualties, with two reported dead and nine wounded from the Barlas area, comprising three neighboring villages.
While the Taliban’s army unit in Badakhshan acknowledged protests against the poppy clearing, they did not mention any casualties in their statement. Spokesman Noorullah Nazari stated that the situation had returned to normal, with several agitators arrested, and the destruction of poppy fields continuing.
Describing the resistance faced by Taliban forces, an anonymous Taliban official revealed that residents armed themselves with sticks, stones, and shovels to prevent the clearing, resulting in injuries to some Taliban personnel.
Meanwhile, reports from the provincial capital, Faizabad, indicated increased military activity, with helicopters observed heading towards Argo, and road checkpoints established to restrict access to the district.
Afghanistan, once the largest producer of opium globally, banned poppy cultivation in April 2022 under a decree by the Taliban supreme leader. However, the recent clashes highlight the challenges in enforcing the ban and the tensions between authorities and local communities reliant on the lucrative poppy crop.
