On 3 February 2025, Afghanistan International reported a conflict between a former jihadi commander and the Taliban over gold mining land ownership in Aviz village, Shahr-e Buzurg district, Badakhshan province. According to multiple sources, former commander Abdul Ghafoor claims ownership of the land, while the Taliban assert that it is state property.
Ghafoor’s 27-year-old nephew, Misbahuddin, was reportedly killed and two others were wounded when the Taliban, including the bodyguards of the Provincial Governor and Police Chief, opened fire on civilians trying to prevent them from taking control of the land. Local sources also confirmed Misbahuddin’s death to AW.
A 27-second video allegedly depicting the clash shows an excavator, construction material, and people running as gunfire echoes in the background. The video, however, does not include footage of casualties, and the Taliban have yet to comment officially.
On 11 February 2025, 8am Media reported that local sources had provided photos of four dead miners to the outlet, claiming Taliban forces had allegedly killed them on the night of 7 February 2025 in Shahr-e Buzurg district. According to the sources, the Taliban targeted the miners after they had disregarded Taliban warnings to cease mining activities in the area. No other sources have reported on this incident, however, and the Taliban has not commented on the claims.
According to local sources interviewed by AW, criminal groups frequently target individuals transferring gold or cash by road from mining operations in Shahr-e Buzurg district. The same sources claimed that the Taliban use helicopters to transport mining resources and money.
On 11 and 12 January 2025, Afghanistan International and 8am Media both reported that residents of Shahr-e Buzurg district had staged a protest against the Taliban for reportedly awarding mining contracts in the district to their relatives and non-local Taliban-affiliated Pashtuns (the district is majority Tajik).
A video posted by Afghanistan International shows dozens of people gathered as a man addresses them, stating that the protest movement was started some three to four months ago “to benefit the people of Shahr-e Buzurg”. Another speaker expresses hope that the Taliban will provide job opportunities, enabling them to support their families. Several other sources also confirmed the protest in the area.
These mining-related developments follow a series of violent protests in mid-2024 in Badakhshan, where locals resisted the Taliban’s poppy eradication campaign, leading to multiple deaths and injuries.
Residents protest against mining activities in the Chah Aab district, Takhar
On 9 and 10 February 2025, several media outlets reported that residents of the Samti area in Takhar province’s Chah Aab district had gathered on 8 February to protest against local mining activities, which have been contracted to Chinese companies (see below).
A video shows a man addressing dozens of people in a hilly area, stating that they are protesting against non-local companies conducting mining activities in their region. He accused these companies of destroying public parks, grazing lands, gardens, and the natural environment. He emphasised that they had raised their concerns with the Taliban 20 days ago, but no one had listened.
Several other participants also express frustrations with the Taliban administration for failing to address their essential needs, including the construction of roads, a water dam, and health clinics. Additionally, they complain that they receive no share of the mining revenue despite mining activities continuing to damage their properties.
In a video shared by Afghanistan International, a group of people is seen surrounding a vehicle carrying an excavator, reportedly trying to block its entry to the mining site. Various sources stated that the area contains gold mines.
Local sources confirmed to AW their frustrations with mining activities in the area. They stated that they have complained to the Taliban de facto authorities and staged protests over contracts being awarded to non-local companies, and the lack of economic benefits for the local communities.
The protests follow the killing of a Chinese national working in the mining sector in Takhar, in January 2025 — an attack claimed by the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). In August 2023, the Samti gold mine extraction contract in Chah Aab district was awarded to the China-Afghanistan Company with Zarawar Afghanistan Private Company being the shareholder.
Remarks
The protests in Badakhshan’s Shahr-e Buzurg district and Takhar’s Chah Aab district reflect growing public frustration over resource control and employment opportunities under Taliban rule. While most protests against Taliban-contracted mining operations in the provinces have remained peaceful, the alleged casualties in Shahr-e Buzurg — including unverified reports of at least four miners killed — indicate escalating tensions.
The Taliban’s silence on recent protests and its violent suppression of past demonstrations, such as the mid-2024 poppy eradication unrest in Badakhshan, suggest an unwillingness to compromise, increasing the risk of further conflict.