Taliban-Appointed Ambassador Arrives In Moscow To Begin Diplomatic Mission

Medical staff at a local hospital in Badakhshan confirmed that the fatalities occurred over two days of unrest. Six people, including a woman, were reportedly killed on Monday, while two more died on Tuesday. The condition of several of the injured remains critical.

Earlier reports cited five deaths and at least 20 injuries in the clashes. Hospital sources later revised the toll upward as more casualties were confirmed.

Taliban-appointed governor of Badakhshan, Mohammad Ayoub Khalid, acknowledged the civilian deaths in an interview with the BBC. He claimed the casualties were the result of “accidental fire” by Taliban forces. He also confirmed that special forces were deployed to Khash to suppress the protests.

The violence began after Taliban units were dispatched to the district to destroy poppy fields. The killing of local farmers triggered widespread anger among residents, who blocked roads leading to Faizabad and Baharak and stormed the district administration building, damaging parts of the facility.

This is not the first time Taliban forces have clashed with local farmers in Badakhshan, a province known for significant opium cultivation. Similar confrontations occurred last year in Jurm district after Taliban attempts to eradicate poppy crops.

Recently, the Afghanistan Analysts Network reported that the Taliban's efforts to enforce a nationwide drug ban have largely failed in Badakhshan. The report noted that some local Taliban officials have been unwilling to implement the ban, despite direct orders from the group’s leadership.

In response, farmers have adopted more covert methods to continue poppy cultivation such as disguising crops among other plants, farming in enclosed or remote areas, leasing land, or partnering with local residents to evade detection.

Saifuddin Laton, spokesperson for the Taliban-appointed governor of Panjshir, announced the development on Tuesday, adding that the sales process has been conducted in what he described as a “legal and transparent” manner. According to Laton, the emeralds were sold through an official auction to both domestic and international traders.

The Taliban's Directorate of Mines and Petroleum in Panjshir reported that 3987 carats of emeralds have been sold, generating over $500,000 in revenue.

However, the rapid and large-scale extraction of emeralds from Panjshir has drawn criticism from civil society groups and watchdog organisations. The Panjshir Studies Centre, a local research institute, previously published survey findings indicating that 90 percent of respondents believe the Taliban is “plundering” the province’s natural resources and that local communities see no benefit from the mining revenue.

Since regaining control of Afghanistan, the Taliban has auctioned thousands of carats of emeralds, reportedly earning millions of dollars. Critics argue that, amid an ongoing economic crisis, the group has increasingly focused on exploiting the country’s mineral wealth, often bypassing legal frameworks and excluding local populations from the benefits.

In a statement released Tuesday, 1 July, the National Resistance Front (NRF) said Iran should “avoid harsh treatment” of Afghan refugees, warning that many Afghans view migration to neighbouring countries as a matter of survival under Taliban rule.

“The dire situation in Afghanistan leaves our people with little choice,” the NRF said, thanking the Iranian public for hosting Afghan refugees and pledging to pursue migrants’ concerns “seriously and through reasonable and effective channels.”

Separately, the Jamiat-e-Islami party, led by former foreign minister Salahuddin Rabbani, urged Iran to factor in Afghanistan’s ongoing political and economic crises when handling return of refugees. The party said deportations should be conducted “wisely and in full compliance with international standards,” and called on the global community to help improve Afghan refugees’ legal status in Iran.

Jamiat-e-Islami’s statement cited what it described as a “lack of legitimacy” in Afghanistan’s governing structure, a severe economic downturn and the dominance of “irresponsible groups” threatening domestic security.

The appeals come amid a surge in deportations from Iran. Rights groups have reported rising detentions and expulsions of undocumented Afghans in recent weeks, drawing criticism from Afghan civil-society groups and opposition factions. Last week, the Afghanistan Freedom Front also condemned mass returns as violations of international law and basic human dignity.

In a statement released Tuesday, 1 July, UNAMA confirmed that the meetings began on Monday and brought together representatives from various countries, international organisations, the Taliban, and independent experts.

The sessions, part of the ongoing Doha Process, were convened to review progress in supporting Afghanistan’s private sector and in counter-narcotics initiatives, while setting out new areas for cooperation with the Taliban.

UNAMA noted that the meetings build on earlier work from the third session of special envoys and are designed to strengthen what it called a “coherent, coordinated and structured engagement process” with the Taliban for the benefit of the Afghan people.

A seven-member Taliban delegation, including representatives from the Ministries of Public Health, Interior, Foreign Affairs and Agriculture, attended the meetings.

The Doha Process has emerged as a key diplomatic platform for facilitating international dialogue with the Taliban following their return to power in August 2021.

Local sources told Afghanistan International on Tuesday that Taliban fighters opened fire on protesters during a second day of unrest, killing at least one person and injuring ten others. Health officials in Badakhshan confirmed the casualties, with three of the wounded reported to be in critical condition.

The violence began on Monday when Taliban forces attempted to destroy poppy fields in the area, a move that sparked resistance from locals. That initial confrontation resulted in at least four deaths and ten injuries, according to local sources.

Clashes erupted again on Tuesday during the funeral procession for those killed the previous day. Eyewitnesses reported further gunfire by Taliban forces. While some sources said as many as eight protesters were killed, medical officials confirmed five fatalities.

As tensions escalated, protesters blocked roads leading into Khash District. In response, the Taliban reportedly deployed additional forces by helicopter and cut off all telecommunications in the district.

Taliban officials have not yet commented on the ongoing situation.