18 Dead İn Afghan Taliban Leadership Dispute

Infighting between Taliban militants has left 18 dead, an Afghan official said on Wednesday, in the latest example of discord within the movement due to a leadership struggle.



The fighting, which left 10 wounded, broke out in the village of Akal in western Herat province on Tuesday when a local Taliban group refused to pledge allegiance to Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, appointed as the movement's leader last month following the announcement of Mullah Mohammad Omar's death.



"The clash between rival groups started on Tuesday morning and continued on Wednesday and has left 18 militants dead from both sides," Ehsanullah Hayat, a spokesman for the provincial governor told Anadolu Agency.



He said a battle was still underway after an attempt at arbitration by local elders failed.



On Aug. 14, fighting between rival Taliban groups left at least 15 dead in nearby Zer Koh. Earlier this week, at least five militants were killed in southern Zabul province in clashes between the supporters of rival leadership claimants.



The latest clashes came after a leadership council in Quetta, Pakistan, attempts to resolve the rift within the movement.



Mansour's appointment has been widely opposed within the Taliban and the council, which saw around 1,000 senior members attend, failed to heal the rift.



Omar's brother and son, as well as prominent commander Mullah Mansoor Dadullah, are said to have challenged Mansoor's leadership and called for him to step down.



In an email, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected reports of clashes among fighters and described them as propaganda. - Kabil