The Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF), an armed group opposed to Taliban rule, has claimed responsibility for a guerrilla-style attack on Taliban forces in Fayzabad, the capital of Badakhshan province, killing three fighters and wounding another, according to a statement issued by the group.
The AFF said the operation targeted a Taliban reserve unit positioned near the provincial governor’s office, describing the attack as a direct strike against forces allegedly involved in suppressing public protests and enforcing control through intimidation. The group claimed that none of its fighters were harmed during the operation.
Local sources, however, provided a slightly different account, telling Afghanistan International that an incident did occur on Saturday afternoon in Fayzabad but resulted in four people being wounded. The exact nature of the casualties remains unclear, as the Taliban have not issued any official statement regarding the incident, consistent with their past practice of remaining silent on such claims.
In its statement, the AFF accused the targeted Taliban unit of creating an atmosphere of fear in Badakhshan as part of broader efforts by authorities in Kabul to consolidate power. The group framed the attack as part of what it described as a resistance campaign against repression and the erosion of civil freedoms under Taliban rule.
The Afghanistan Freedom Front emerged after the Taliban returned to power and presents itself as a resistance movement composed of former Afghan military personnel and political opponents of the Taliban. The group advocates armed resistance and calls for the establishment of an alternative political system in Afghanistan.
In recent months, the AFF has claimed responsibility for multiple attacks on Taliban forces across different parts of the country, signaling a persistent, though fragmented, armed challenge to Taliban authority. While the scale and impact of such operations remain contested, they highlight ongoing security tensions and internal resistance more than three years after the Taliban’s return to power.
The absence of official confirmation from Taliban authorities has made independent verification difficult. Nonetheless, the incident underscores the continuing volatility in northern Afghanistan and the fragile security environment faced by Taliban administrators amid growing opposition from armed resistance groups.
