Dozens of Taliban militants have been killed in serious clashes between rival factions after the pro-Mullah Rassoul faction declared Jihad against the pro-Akhter Mansour group on Monday.| Clearing the decks for the heavyweight match: ISIS vs. Al Qaeda in Pakistan |
Reports have emerged of massive fatalities on both sides after they engaged in fighting in Ghor and Badghis provinces.
On Monday, pro-Rassoul fighters announced allegiance to him by hoisting white flags and accused Mullah Mansour of being an ISI tool, vowing to fight his men and the ISI until they are completely defeated.
"We raise this flag on behalf of you and announce our allegiance and full support to Mullah Abdul Rassoul, the leader of the Taliban movement. We cut the hands of ISI in Afghanistan as we did the Russians. We will use all energy to defeat ISI," said pro-Rassoul commander Mullah Ghafar, who also serves as Taliban commander in Badghis.
Also in Badghis, reports have emerged of a major confrontation between the two rival factions in Bala Murghab district of the province.Infighting between the two factions was also reported in Qadis Jawnd district of Badghis
"We announce our support to Mullah Abdul Rassoul and declare war against the enemies of Afghanistan," pro-Rassoul commander in Ghor, Maulavi Abdul Hamid said.
In yet another development on Monday, fighting was also reported in Qadis and Jaon districts of Badghis between the two groups.
A few months ago, similar encounters between the two rival factions were reported in Herat's Shindand district, which apparently resulted in the deaths of at least 100 fighters on both sides.