Taliban removes influential commander Juma Khan Fateh amid dispute over control of Badakhshan
The Taliban has removed one of its most influential commanders in northeastern Afghanistan, Juma Khan Fateh, amid an escalating dispute with the movement’s leadership over influence and control of mineral-rich areas in Badakhshan province, according to Amu TV and local sources.
Fateh, who also served as deputy governor of Zabul province, was formally replaced by Faizullah Tamim, head of the Taliban’s General Directorate of Standards and Quality.
The appointment was announced on June 22 by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, who said the change was made by decree of the movement’s supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada. No official reason was provided for Fateh’s removal.
Tensions with Taliban leadership
The dismissal follows weeks of reports of growing tensions between Fateh and the Taliban leadership based in Kandahar.
According to sources cited by Amu TV, several rounds of negotiations failed to resolve disagreements between the two sides. Taliban leaders reportedly began searching for a replacement, raising concerns about a possible confrontation between Fateh’s supporters and forces loyal to the movement’s central leadership.
Sources also said Taliban officials had discussed removing Fateh from his informal role as the leading power broker in the Darwaz region of Badakhshan, where he has maintained significant influence for years.
A powerful figure in northeastern Afghanistan
Fateh is widely regarded as one of the Taliban’s most influential commanders in northeastern Afghanistan.
Before being appointed deputy governor of Zabul Province, he served as the Taliban administrator of the Nusai district in Badakhshan. In late 2024, he was tasked with overseeing the movement’s anti-opium campaign in the province.
Despite his transfer to Zabul, Fateh retained considerable authority in Badakhshan, particularly in Darwaz, where he has long been viewed as a key mediator and local power broker. Among residents and Taliban members, he became known as the «commander of Darwaz,» an unofficial title reflecting his influence in the region.
According to sources, Taliban brigade commander Ghulamullah from Faryab Province is being considered as a possible successor.
Dispute over mining revenues
Sources told Amu TV that control over gold-mining operations in Badakhshan was at the center of the dispute.
Badakhshan is home to some of Afghanistan’s most valuable mineral deposits, including significant gold reserves. Several rounds of negotiations involving senior Taliban officials, including army chief of staff Fasihuddin Fitrat, reportedly failed to bridge differences between Fateh and the movement’s leadership.
In an effort to resolve the crisis, Fitrat and the governor of Helmand Province, Amanuddin, were reportedly dispatched to the provincial capital, Faizabad. However, talks with Fateh in Nusai district also ended without agreement, according to sources.
Broader internal rivalries
Analysts say the dispute highlights broader tensions within the Taliban over control of Afghanistan’s mining sector, which has become one of the movement’s most important sources of revenue since its return to power in 2021.
Efforts by the Taliban’s central leadership to consolidate authority over natural resources have increasingly brought it into conflict with powerful regional commanders who maintain local networks of influence.
Badakhshan has been a particularly sensitive region in this regard. Disputes frequently arise among Taliban officials, mining companies, and local communities over access to mineral resources and the distribution of revenues from mining operations.
The province has also witnessed periodic protests related to mining policies, taxation, and local governance.
According to earlier reports by Amu TV, Fateh warned that attempts to curtail his influence could trigger a «popular uprising.» Sources also claimed that Taliban leaders had considered arresting him if negotiations ultimately failed.
His removal is likely to be closely watched as an indicator of how successfully the Taliban leadership can consolidate control over strategically important regions and Afghanistan’s lucrative mining sector.
Fateh, who also served as deputy governor of Zabul province, was formally replaced by Faizullah Tamim, head of the Taliban’s General Directorate of Standards and Quality.
The appointment was announced on June 22 by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, who said the change was made by decree of the movement’s supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada. No official reason was provided for Fateh’s removal.
Tensions with Taliban leadership
The dismissal follows weeks of reports of growing tensions between Fateh and the Taliban leadership based in Kandahar.
According to sources cited by Amu TV, several rounds of negotiations failed to resolve disagreements between the two sides. Taliban leaders reportedly began searching for a replacement, raising concerns about a possible confrontation between Fateh’s supporters and forces loyal to the movement’s central leadership.
Sources also said Taliban officials had discussed removing Fateh from his informal role as the leading power broker in the Darwaz region of Badakhshan, where he has maintained significant influence for years.
A powerful figure in northeastern Afghanistan
Fateh is widely regarded as one of the Taliban’s most influential commanders in northeastern Afghanistan.
Before being appointed deputy governor of Zabul Province, he served as the Taliban administrator of the Nusai district in Badakhshan. In late 2024, he was tasked with overseeing the movement’s anti-opium campaign in the province.
Despite his transfer to Zabul, Fateh retained considerable authority in Badakhshan, particularly in Darwaz, where he has long been viewed as a key mediator and local power broker. Among residents and Taliban members, he became known as the «commander of Darwaz,» an unofficial title reflecting his influence in the region.
According to sources, Taliban brigade commander Ghulamullah from Faryab Province is being considered as a possible successor.
Dispute over mining revenues
Sources told Amu TV that control over gold-mining operations in Badakhshan was at the center of the dispute.
Badakhshan is home to some of Afghanistan’s most valuable mineral deposits, including significant gold reserves. Several rounds of negotiations involving senior Taliban officials, including army chief of staff Fasihuddin Fitrat, reportedly failed to bridge differences between Fateh and the movement’s leadership.
In an effort to resolve the crisis, Fitrat and the governor of Helmand Province, Amanuddin, were reportedly dispatched to the provincial capital, Faizabad. However, talks with Fateh in Nusai district also ended without agreement, according to sources.
Broader internal rivalries
Analysts say the dispute highlights broader tensions within the Taliban over control of Afghanistan’s mining sector, which has become one of the movement’s most important sources of revenue since its return to power in 2021.
Efforts by the Taliban’s central leadership to consolidate authority over natural resources have increasingly brought it into conflict with powerful regional commanders who maintain local networks of influence.
Badakhshan has been a particularly sensitive region in this regard. Disputes frequently arise among Taliban officials, mining companies, and local communities over access to mineral resources and the distribution of revenues from mining operations.
The province has also witnessed periodic protests related to mining policies, taxation, and local governance.
According to earlier reports by Amu TV, Fateh warned that attempts to curtail his influence could trigger a «popular uprising.» Sources also claimed that Taliban leaders had considered arresting him if negotiations ultimately failed.
His removal is likely to be closely watched as an indicator of how successfully the Taliban leadership can consolidate control over strategically important regions and Afghanistan’s lucrative mining sector.
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