Roundup: Infighting among Afghan Taliban demonstrates public division in armed outfit

Division among Taliban fighters has made public as for the first time the infighting has claimed 56 lives in Taliban former stronghold the southern Zabul province over the past three days, a local official confirmed Monday.

"The clash erupted between supporters of Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor and his opponents led by Mullah Mansoor Dadullah in Khak-e-Afghan and Arghandab districts of Zabul province on Saturday, leaving 56 insurgents from both sides dead and injured 53 others," spokesman for provincial government Gul Islam Sayal told Xinhua.

Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor was appointed as Taliban Amirul Mominin (supreme commander of faithful Muslims) or new leader of the armed outfit following the confirmation of the death of Taliban former leader Mullah Mohammad Omar in late July.

Assuming Taliban leadership by Akhtar Mansoor had caused rift among Taliban as some Taliban commanders close to Mullah Omar's family has challenged Akhtar Mansoor's leadership as illegitimate and vowed to oust him if he ignores the demand for choosing new leader in consultation with senior commanders.

Mullah Mansoor Dadullah who reportedly is closed to Mullah Omar's family has openly opposed Akhtar Mansoor leadership and vowed to oust him from Taliban hierarchy if he continues to lead the militants.

The infighting among Taliban in Khak-e-Afghan and Arghandab districts of Zabul province is taken place just a week after the picking up of Mullah Mohammad Rasoul to lead the splinter group in the country.

Mullah Mohammad Rasoul who refused to make allegiance to Mullah Akhater Mansoor as Amirul Mominin was picked up by Taliban splinter group, which is close to Mullah Omar's family in a public meeting held in the western Farah province last week.

According to the spokesman of Zabul provincial administration, 47 of those killed in the clash were loyal to Mansoor Dadullah and the remaining nine to Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor.

Taliban militants loyal to Akhtar Mansoor have yet to make comment on the conflict.

However, Abdul Manan Niazi who claims to speak for Mansoor Dadullah's camp in contact with media confirmed that Akhtar Mansoor's supporters attacked Dadullah's positions in the said districts triggering the fighting.

However, Afghan political observers believe that infighting among Taliban in Zabul won't be the first and not the last one and the splinter groups would continue fighting over assuming leadership of the hardliner outfit. Enditem