The Afghan Taliban announced on Tuesday that they had put an end to demonstrations in a northern region against the efforts of security forces to outlaw the growing of opium poppies, which provides a living for a large number of poor farmers.
Following several days of protests that resulted in two fatalities, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said via Whatsapp that the organization was conducting meetings in Badakhshan.
In a different statement, Mujahid announced that this week, a team from Kabul headed by the chief of staff for defense would visit Badakhshan to conduct an investigation. This is an uncommon government admission of civil unrest since the Taliban took back control of the region in 2021.
From then on, they have pledged to take back control of the entire war-torn country and have occasionally used force to put an end to urban rallies, particularly those protesting policies that bar women from entering many professions and educational institutions.
Mujahid declared, “The Badakhshan issue can be resolved.”
He stated, “Two of our countrymen lost their lives during the clashes, their rights will be observed,” and that officials would meet with the victims’ families to decide how much money to give them in lieu of compensation.
According to study conducted last year by the international research organization Alcis, most provinces saw a significant decrease in opium output between 2022 and 2023—often by more than 90%. The research was based on satellite data. It also point out, meanwhile, that more acreage was being exploited for poppy cultivation in Badakhshan.
Mujahid did not go into detail about the reason for the fatalities. The two were reportedly slain after security forces opened fire on the protestors late last week, according to local TV Tolo.
The head of the communications department for the Taliban-run provincial administration, Zabihullah Amiri, declared that the two districts were now “under control” after an official team from the province capital visited them for discussions.
“They granted the justifiable requests of the populace; as of right now, Argo and Darayim districts are trouble-free,” he declared. “The people and area are under the control of security forces, and the latest update is that people have committed to cooperating with security forces to eradicate poppy cultivation.”
Following a 20-year battle that began in the weeks following the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, the United States and its allies withdrew its troops in 2021, allowing the Taliban to seize power.
The world’s leading producer of opium, the Taliban, banned the growing of drugs in 2022, according to their supreme spiritual leader.
Growing opium poppies is a major source of income for many Afghan laborers and landowners, particularly in the south, which has historically been the Taliban’s stronghold.
The Taliban are attempting to strengthen economic ties with China and Tajikistan, with which Badakhshan shares a border.
Although the Taliban has promised to manage the country in the best interests of all Afghans, the majority of its top commanders are Pashtun, causing ethnic tensions to worsen in the province where the majority of the population is Tajik.
I am a dedicated student currently in my seventh semester, pursuing a degree in International Relations. Alongside my academic pursuits, I am actively engaged in the professional field as a content writer at the Rangeinn website.