Taliban Leader Orders Suppression of Commander Juma Fateh

Taliban sources say talks between commander Juma Fateh and senior officials including Fasihuddin Fitrat have reached a deadlock. Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah has ordered the suppression of Fateh after the commander disobeyed orders and threatened a popular uprising.

Fateh, a Tajik commander based in the Darwaz area of Badakhshan, joined the Taliban about 15 years ago. He has since consolidated control over multiple large weapons depots seized from earlier eras, including 82mm mortars, DShK machine guns and anti-aircraft weapons. Sources say he claims command of 2,500 fully equipped fighters in Nasi district and up to 10,000 loyal forces across Badakhshan and the northeast, supported in part by income from gold mining.

Fateh was appointed deputy governor of Zabul but returned to Badakhshan and has refused to obey central orders for more than two months. The leadership now regards him as a rebellious element.

The reported standoff highlights tensions between the central Taliban leadership and regional commanders who maintain independent armed forces and economic resources.