Attacks across Badakhshan are puncturing the Taliban’s aura of invincibility, even if the armed resistance remains far from threatening its rule nationwide.

Badakhshan, Afghanistan’s vast and mountainous northeastern province, was a center of resistance to Taliban rule during the 1990s. Despite repeated and intensive Taliban military operations, the rebellious province remained largely under the control of the Northern Alliance, commanded by Ahmad Shah Massoud. Now, the Taliban is once again confronting trouble in this resource-rich region. In recent weeks, Badakhshan, which borders Tajikistan, China, and Pakistan, has experienced a surge in attacks. Experts say anti-Taliban armed groups are exploiting local grievances, disputes over control of natural resources, and long-standing ethnic tensions. On July 17, Sepahiyan-e Mihan, or the Homeland Soldiers Front, a newly formed anti-Taliban resistance group, attacked the district center of Yaftali Sufla. Its force of approximately 25 fighters held the center for several hours before withdrawing. The Taliban acknowledged temporarily losing control of the district headquarters.

In the aftermath of the incursion, Taliban Chief of Army Staff Fasihuddin Fitrat visited Yaftali Sufla to assess the readiness of the group’s forces. On July 23, the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF), led by former Afghan Armed Forces chief of general staff Yasin Zia, launched several targeted operations........

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