The Taliban have deployed additional forces to Argo district in Badakhshan province amid growing unrest and protests by local residents. Sources report that more than 30 people have been arrested by the group as tensions escalate.
According to eyewitnesses, the latest deployment occurred on Tuesday morning, following a protest on Monday sparked by the arrest of several residents. A call to protest was reportedly issued via loudspeaker from a local mosque, urging people to "raise their voices and make themselves heard."
In response, over 100 Taliban fighters were dispatched to Argo from Faizabad and Taloqan, where they clashed with local farmers and residents. Multiple sources allege that Taliban forces beat civilians, burned tents and motorcycles, and took a woman from the village of Shamqarchi to an unknown location.
Local residents reported that Taliban fighters opened fire on civilians during the confrontation. Fearing a public gathering, the Taliban attempted to suppress the protest, with witnesses stating that people were beaten and fled to nearby mountains to escape the violence.
A video shared with Afghanistan International captures the moment a voice over a mosque loudspeaker urged residents to protest, declaring: “Now is the time to raise our voices, and we must make ourselves heard.”
Sources confirmed that the Taliban briefly withdrew from the area following the protest but later returned in greater force to quell dissent. The group allegedly carried out further beatings and raids in surrounding areas.
Residents of Argo have expressed growing discontent over the Taliban’s poppy eradication campaign, which they say has been conducted without providing alternative livelihoods. Protesters also cited the exclusion of locals from decision-making processes and harsh treatment by "non-local" Taliban fighters as causes of unrest.
