Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August, there have been mounting reports of infighting within the militant group. Last week, a senior Taliban official became the first to openly criticize the leadership for its repressive policies in Afghanistan.
Several clashes took place after a verbal fight between factions affiliated with Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, the leader of a dissident faction from the Taliban who recently died, and another affiliated with the local authorities in the western city of Herat.
A Taliban source told WION that Taliban forces had to intervene to break off the clashes and control the situation between the two groups.
The reason behind the violent clash between Taliban forces is not yet clear.
Leaving Afghanistan - Transcript pbs.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from pbs.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
With the United States on track to pull all troops out of Afghanistan by August 31, Afghans and foreign powers are increasingly fearful the country will descend into civil war.
As peace talks with the Afghan government stagnate, the Taliban says it has secured control over approximately 80% of the country, surrounding most major cities.
In the new FRONTLINE report
, correspondent Najibullah Quraishi investigated how Afghanistan’s neighbors particularly Iran, through its proxy militia, the Fatemiyoun are looking to fill the void as America withdraws.
Quraishi spoke to Taliban leaders and former fighters who claimed Iran is mobilizing the Shia Fatemiyoun within Afghanistan. In return, a Sunni Taliban leader told Quraishi he would target and kill Afghanistan’s Shia minority, accusing them of harboring Fatemiyoun fighters.
Iran Assures Its Frontier With Afghanistan Fully Secure as Taliban Seizes Main Border Crossing sputniknews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sputniknews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.