Afghan Witness Reports

Local residents of Kargian village protested the Taliban's destruction of poppy fields, leading to reported gunfire and injuries.

On 3 and 4 May 2024, protests in Badakhshan's Darayim and Argo districts erupted after clashes between locals and Taliban counter-narcotics teams over the destruction of poppy fields, resulting in deaths and ongoing protests despite Taliban attempts to resolve the issue.

The incident marked the second clash between farmers and the Taliban over poppy eradication enforcement, after a similar incident occurred in Nangarhar in April.

The economic impact of poppy eradication on local communities, and the lack of alternative forms of income, have the potential to spark confrontations.