AT News
KABUL – In a bold display of defiance, residents of the Argo district in Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province protested once again on Saturday morning to voice their discontent with Taliban rule. This protest follows a similar demonstration by residents of the provincial Darayim district on Friday, signaling a growing wave of opposition to the Taliban’s authority, according to sources familiar with the situation.
One protester, speaking on condition of anonymity, cited the “relentless oppression” imposed by the Taliban as the driving force behind the protests. The residents demand nothing short of the expulsion of the Taliban from their communities, a sentiment echoed by many in the region.
However, tensions escalated when reports surfaced of the Taliban resorting to gunfire in an attempt to quell the protest, further fueling the residents’ resolve.
In response to the protests in Badakhshan province, prominent Afghan figures have issued strong condemnations of the Taliban’s actions, characterizing the demonstrations as a pivotal moment in the fight against their regime.
Former Vice President Amrullah Saleh heralded the protests as the beginning of the Taliban’s downfall, emphasizing the courage displayed by the residents of Badakhshan. “This protest marks a significant display of honor by the residents of the province,” Saleh remarked.
Similarly, former chief of intelligence Rahmatullah Nabil hailed the movement as a beacon of hope for liberation from the “extremism and oppression” perpetuated by the Taliban. “The people of Afghanistan, having endured the bitter oppression of the Taliban, are now determined to break free from their tyranny,” Nabil declared, highlighting the historic significance of the protests.
Drawing parallels to past uprisings, such as those in Kabul and Herat, Mohammad Saiqal, former Afghan ambassador to the United Nations, underscored the symbolic importance of the protests in Badakhshan. “The resilience shown by the residents of Argo and Darayim mirrors the historic uprisings that have shaped Afghanistan’s struggle for freedom,” Saiqal stated.
Despite the risks involved, the protests in Badakhshan persisted for a second consecutive day. Tragically, reports emerged of Taliban forces fatally shooting a protester on Saturday as they sought to disperse the demonstration, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the determination of those standing against Taliban rule.