Thread by @bsarwary

#AFG Mawlawi Mehdi Mujahid , an influential Hazara member of the Taliban, has broken away with the Taliban after he was fired as head of intelligence of Bamyan. He says 10 million Hazaras are sidelined and disenfranchised from political space by Taliban. Balkhab, Saripul.

Taliban’s rift with Mowlawi Mahdi is over the proceeds of coal mines in Balkhab. There has been a hike in demands for coal in Pakistan after the energy prices went up and the decade-long unmet energy shortages in Pakistan. Since collapse of the Republic, Pakistani businesses

flocked to the north to reap the spoils of an unregulated market and all the coal from the mines in the northern Afghanistan is now being exported to Pakistan at dirt-cheap prices.

Mahdi pockets around Afs60 millions a day from Balkhab mines. He turned Balkhab into an economic power hub creating economic activities for the locals and the surrounding areas and collecting taxes that he does not share with Kabul.

At a time of economic downturn, this helped Mahdi garner support from local communities. Taliban’s ploy to offer him a job in Kabul is to gain access to the proceeds of the mines and thwart a possible challenge to their rule from within in the future.

This is how global events shape decision at a far flung place in balkhab in Northern Afghanistan.

Taliban dispatching a big force against Mawli Mehdi, this force is heading from Mazari-E Sharif. In Kishanday refuelling, and heading to Dar-E Soaaf. According to reports, Mawli Mehdi destroying roads with excavators to prevent Taliban convoys.

Reports of clashes in at least one location between Taliban soldiers and fighters loyal to Mehdi Mujahid. How costly will this new front be for the Taliban? Will this have a domino effect in the north?

Reports of heavy clashes in Balkhab district between Taliban and fighters loyal to Mawli Mehdi. Taliban have taken control of a strategic Qoam pass. Taliban casualties and fatalities reported. Fighting in very close distance.

Taliban WhatsApp audio messages from frontlines in Balkhab : “ Taliban took control of district center and district police HQ. Enemy scattered and moved to a valley.”

WhatsApp audio messages from Sari Pul shared with me paints a very disturbing and brutal picture. According to one resident : “one farmer, two Shepards shot dead. At least one case of a beheading.” “Taliban soldiers carried the killings in retaliation.” @SR_Afghanistan @hrw