District in Badakhshan briefly falls to anti-Taliban group

An anti-Taliban group briefly seized control of Yaftal-e-Paeen district in Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province early Friday before withdrawing several hours later, local sources told Amu TV.

Two local sources said dozens of anti-Taliban fighters attacked the district headquarters at around 2 a.m., disarmed Taliban forces and temporarily took control of the district administration.

According to the sources, the fighters identified themselves as a newly formed group calling itself “Sepahian-e Maihan” (Soldiers of the Homeland) and raised the group’s flag over the district administration building during the takeover.

The sources said the fighters later withdrew from the district. It was not immediately clear where they went or whether there were any casualties.

Taliban police spokesman in Badakhshan confirmed the temporary fall of Yaftal district to an anti-Taliban group, telling Amu TV the district was overrun for at least two hours while its “senior officials” were on leave.

Ihsanullah Kamgar said the attackers were pushed back after reinforcements arrived and that seven of them were arrested.

Following the incident, the Taliban’s army chief, Fasihuddin Fitrat, went to Badakhshan province. He confirmed that the attack has been carried out by Sepahian-e Maihan.

A member of the group told Amu TV that the formation of the front was started four years back and that it has now turned into action. The source said the group has a leadership council and is not run by a specific individual but its members are formed by former government forces.

The incident marks the first known instance in nearly five years in which an Afghan district temporarily fell outside Taliban control since they returned to power in August 2021.