18 May 2016

News Story: Cracks within Afghan Taliban rank deepens as infighting kills 15 insurgents in 3 days

KABUL, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Cracks further appeared within Taliban rank as infighting between supporters of Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor and his opponents headed by Mullah Mohammad Rasoul have killed 15 fighters from both sides in the western region of Afghanistan since Sunday, officials said Tuesday.

In the latest fighting between the two groups in Obe district of Herat province with Herat city as its capital 640 km west of national capital Kabul city, at least five militants have been killed on Tuesday, a local official confirmed.

"The clash erupted between Mullah Sia Khan, a Taliban commander loyal to Mullah Akhtar Mansoor and his rival commander Mullah Toofan of Mullah Mohammad Rasoul's faction in Niak village of Obe district in the wee hours of Tuesday which lasted for hours and leaving five insurgents dead," district police Chief Shir Agha Alkozai told Xinhua.

All those killed in the fighting belonged to Akhtar Mansoor's faction, the official added.

Taliban militants haven't commented on the subject.

Read the full story at Xinhua