The best thing that can happen to Afghanistan, and which is happening now, is a Taliban infighting. Taliban is a formidable enemy in Afghanistan, whether to the local government or foreign forces. Fighting and killing come so natural to these battle-hardened militants that even their battle-hardened foes in the army often have tasted defeat. So the news that violent clashes have erupted between two rival Taliban groups in southern Afghanistan, killing at least 50 fighters from both sides, comes as a ray of relief and must be exploited by the government of Ashraf Ghani to eliminate this threat.
The violent clashes are a result of the split in the group over the appointment a new leader after the death Mullah Omar. On Sunday, Mirwais Noorzai said fighters led by the newly appointed leader Mullah Mohammad Rasool clashed with those loyal to Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor in Zabul province. The fight took place in the Arghandab district of Zabul province. Most of the area is under the Taliban control. Anwar Ishaqzai, governor of southern Zabul province, said the Taliban splinter group - known as the High Council of Afghanistan Islamic Emirate - has joined up with fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) group. “The Taliban faction under Mullah Rasool was backed by the ISIL and Uzbek fighters in the fight,” he said. “About 40 Taliban from Rasool’s group and 10 from Mansoor have been killed in the fight.” A Taliban commander led by Mullah Mansoor in Zabul province told Al Jazeera that his side would continue to fight those against their "supreme" leader. "Anyone who does not acknowledge Mullah Mansoor is our enemy," he said. "The faction group is formed by foreigners and our enemies, this won't stop us. Nothing can stop us from continuing our jihad."
Afghan government was hoping to gain an upper hand over the Taliban after the exit of Nato and US troops, but that expectation had turned out to be false. Afghanistan witnessed a resurgence of the dreaded Taliban with the militant capturing more territories from the Afghan forces and putting up a tough fight with the government forces all over the country. This turn of development had even forced the US to postpone a full withdrawal of its forces. Last month, US President Barack Obama announced to extend the US military role in the country, and keep the current force of 9,800 troops through most of 2016 amid a surge in Taliban attacks.
A disunited Taliban is in the interest of Afghanistan. The government of Ashraf Ghani must find ways to stoke the fighting between the two groups and weaken them. It’s unlikely that the two groups will unite again because the differences run deep.
The best thing that can happen to Afghanistan, and which is happening now, is a Taliban infighting. Taliban is a formidable enemy in Afghanistan, whether to the local government or foreign forces. Fighting and killing come so natural to these battle-hardened militants that even their battle-hardened foes in the army often have tasted defeat. So the news that violent clashes have erupted between two rival Taliban groups in southern Afghanistan, killing at least 50 fighters from both sides, comes as a ray of relief and must be exploited by the government of Ashraf Ghani to eliminate this threat.
The violent clashes are a result of the split in the group over the appointment a new leader after the death Mullah Omar. On Sunday, Mirwais Noorzai said fighters led by the newly appointed leader Mullah Mohammad Rasool clashed with those loyal to Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor in Zabul province. The fight took place in the Arghandab district of Zabul province. Most of the area is under the Taliban control. Anwar Ishaqzai, governor of southern Zabul province, said the Taliban splinter group - known as the High Council of Afghanistan Islamic Emirate - has joined up with fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) group. “The Taliban faction under Mullah Rasool was backed by the ISIL and Uzbek fighters in the fight,” he said. “About 40 Taliban from Rasool’s group and 10 from Mansoor have been killed in the fight.” A Taliban commander led by Mullah Mansoor in Zabul province told Al Jazeera that his side would continue to fight those against their "supreme" leader. "Anyone who does not acknowledge Mullah Mansoor is our enemy," he said. "The faction group is formed by foreigners and our enemies, this won't stop us. Nothing can stop us from continuing our jihad."
Afghan government was hoping to gain an upper hand over the Taliban after the exit of Nato and US troops, but that expectation had turned out to be false. Afghanistan witnessed a resurgence of the dreaded Taliban with the militant capturing more territories from the Afghan forces and putting up a tough fight with the government forces all over the country. This turn of development had even forced the US to postpone a full withdrawal of its forces. Last month, US President Barack Obama announced to extend the US military role in the country, and keep the current force of 9,800 troops through most of 2016 amid a surge in Taliban attacks.
A disunited Taliban is in the interest of Afghanistan. The government of Ashraf Ghani must find ways to stoke the fighting between the two groups and weaken them. It’s unlikely that the two groups will unite again because the differences run deep.
