Taliban rival factions initiate unity talks
Anyone involved in infighting will be considered a murderer, 15-page 'fatwa' posted on the group's website reads
Anyone who launches attacks will be considered a murderer, 15-page 'fatwa' posted on the group's website read. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
Following weeks of clashes, two rival factions of the Afghan Taliban have initiated negotiations in an attempt to stop infighting, leaders privy to the ongoing discussions, confirmed.
Dissidents last month named Mullah Mohammad Rasool as the head of a splinter group after the collapse of months’ long efforts to end the rift within the insurgent group.
"Nearly 85 people were killed during the clashes only in Herat last week," former Taliban minister told The Express Tribune, adding that earlier, many were killed in Zabul when the group's main faction attacked supporters of a senior rival commander Mansoor Dadullah.
Infighting: Clashes break out between Afghan Taliban, dissidents
Sources say newly appointed chief Mullah Akhtar Mansoor agreed to enter into negotiations with Rasool’s faction after senior and impartial Taliban leaders intervened to resolve differences.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, a Taliban leader said Mullah Omar's family also condemn the infighting, unwilling to accept any position in the new Taliban set-up.
In efforts to resolve the differences, Omar’s son Mullah Yaqoob was offered a senior position in the Taliban military commission, while Taliban supremo's brother Mullah Abdul Manan was offered membership in the powerful Leadership Council, according to Taliban sources.
Mullah Omar’s brother warns of Taliban infighting
Talks between the two sides started after nearly 2,000 religious scholars issued a 'decree' declaring the factional fighting to be against Islam.
A 15-page 'fatwa' has been posted on a website, run by former Taliban minister, Agha Jan Mutasim.
The edict also confirmed the killing of Dadullah, who had rejected the leadership of Mansoor, in Zabul fighting.
Dadullah’s brother Haji Lala, four children and two women of their family were also killed in the Zabul infighting.
"Anyone who launches attacks will be considered a murderer and the side under attack will be considered as oppressed," the decree read, adding "there is no justification in Islamic Sharia for infighting."
Afghan Taliban dissidents formally name their chief
A leader of Rasool's group, Mullah Abdul Rauf Akhund told The Express Tribune Mansoor's commander in Herat, Maulvi Abdul Samad, attacked Nangiyal, a commander of Rasool’s group, killing about 40 of his supporters.
Meanwhile, Abdul Manan Niazi, a senior leader of the group also confirmed the ongoing infighting, saying "clashes left dozens dead from both sides."
However, the Taliban group under Mansoor denied the fighting, while Qari Yousaf, spokesperson for Taliban said, "the Taliban are fighting 'Arbakis', the local government militia." He also called Nangiyal as 'Arbaki.'
Following weeks of clashes, two rival factions of the Afghan Taliban have initiated negotiations in an attempt to stop infighting, leaders privy to the ongoing discussions, confirmed.
Dissidents last month named Mullah Mohammad Rasool as the head of a splinter group after the collapse of months’ long efforts to end the rift within the insurgent group.
"Nearly 85 people were killed during the clashes only in Herat last week," former Taliban minister told The Express Tribune, adding that earlier, many were killed in Zabul when the group's main faction attacked supporters of a senior rival commander Mansoor Dadullah.
Infighting: Clashes break out between Afghan Taliban, dissidents
Sources say newly appointed chief Mullah Akhtar Mansoor agreed to enter into negotiations with Rasool’s faction after senior and impartial Taliban leaders intervened to resolve differences.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, a Taliban leader said Mullah Omar's family also condemn the infighting, unwilling to accept any position in the new Taliban set-up.
In efforts to resolve the differences, Omar’s son Mullah Yaqoob was offered a senior position in the Taliban military commission, while Taliban supremo's brother Mullah Abdul Manan was offered membership in the powerful Leadership Council, according to Taliban sources.
Mullah Omar’s brother warns of Taliban infighting
Talks between the two sides started after nearly 2,000 religious scholars issued a 'decree' declaring the factional fighting to be against Islam.
A 15-page 'fatwa' has been posted on a website, run by former Taliban minister, Agha Jan Mutasim.
The edict also confirmed the killing of Dadullah, who had rejected the leadership of Mansoor, in Zabul fighting.
Dadullah’s brother Haji Lala, four children and two women of their family were also killed in the Zabul infighting.
"Anyone who launches attacks will be considered a murderer and the side under attack will be considered as oppressed," the decree read, adding "there is no justification in Islamic Sharia for infighting."
Afghan Taliban dissidents formally name their chief
A leader of Rasool's group, Mullah Abdul Rauf Akhund told The Express Tribune Mansoor's commander in Herat, Maulvi Abdul Samad, attacked Nangiyal, a commander of Rasool’s group, killing about 40 of his supporters.
Meanwhile, Abdul Manan Niazi, a senior leader of the group also confirmed the ongoing infighting, saying "clashes left dozens dead from both sides."
However, the Taliban group under Mansoor denied the fighting, while Qari Yousaf, spokesperson for Taliban said, "the Taliban are fighting 'Arbakis', the local government militia." He also called Nangiyal as 'Arbaki.'