Taliban Holds Special Meeting to Review Security Challenges in the North

The Taliban held a special security meeting to address challenges in northern Afghanistan. Defense Minister Yaqoob Mujahid chaired the session, which brought together military officials and governors from Balkh, Kunduz, Takhar, Badakhshan, Faryab, Jowzjan, Sar-e Pul, and Baghlan provinces.

Officials discussed recent public protests, local tensions, and clashes over mining in Badakhshan. The meeting also covered land seizures in Faryab and operations by the Afghanistan Freedom Front.

Taliban officials instructed local forces to improve living conditions, create jobs, and address citizen problems. A new head of the mines administration was appointed after clashes in Badakhshan linked to mine management, extraction, and earlier poppy field destruction. Fasihuddin Fitrat visited the province.

The Afghanistan Freedom Front launched a special military operation against Taliban positions in Badakhshan. Protests erupted in Faryab over the seizure of local lands and properties allocated to Waziristani migrants.

An increase in criminal offenses, including mysterious murders, kidnappings, and robberies, was reported in Kabul and other provinces. The Taliban issued directives to combat the rising criminal activity.