Will Selber, a former US soldier who served in Afghanistan, has stated in a recent analysis that Badakhshan province in northeastern Afghanistan has become the most significant hub for armed groups opposing the Taliban government.
The analysis was published in "War on the Rocks," a specialized American publication focusing on security, military, and foreign policy issues. In his article, titled "The Anti-Taliban Resistance Remains; Can It Win?," Selber writes that several opposition groups have expanded their operational scope within the province.
According to the author, groups such as the National Resistance Front (NRF), led by Ahmad Massoud, and the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF), led by Yasin Zia, have not only continued their activities over the past two years but have also oadened the geographic range of their attacks. He cites the NRF's claim of responsibility for killing the mayor of Faizabad and the AFF's repeated operations in the Zibak district as examples.
The report also highlights the ief capture of the Yaftal-e Payan district center in July by a group called "Sepahian-e Mihan" (Soldiers of the Homeland), describing it as a rare instance of the Taliban temporarily losing control of a district center since their return to power.
Selber attributes the province's suitability for guerrilla activities to its mountainous geography, remote valleys, and limited transportation routes. He notes that Badakhshan was also a primary stronghold for the anti-Taliban resistance during the first period of Taliban rule.
However, the former US soldier emphasizes that these opposition groups have not yet been able to hold territory for extended periods and do not currently pose a serious threat to the Taliban's rule. In his view, for these groups to become a more effective force, they require greater coordination and a unified strategy.
Source: War on the Rocks
🌐
