Reuters/Peshawar
The Afghan Taliban may split into two factions, said a spokesman for one group because they cannot agree who should be leader following the death of their founder.
The split could derail fledgling peace talks between the insurgency and the Afghan government and open the way for the Islamic State group to expand its foothold in one of the world’s most tumultuous regions.
The dispute occurred after Afghan intelligence leaked news last month that the insurgency’s reclusive founder, Mullah Omar, had been dead for more than two years.
A hastily convened meeting chose Omar’s deputy, Mullah Mansour, as the new leader. But many commanders were angry that Mansour had concealed Omar’s death and objected to his speedy appointment.
On Saturday, Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, a spokesman for the anti-Mansour faction, said talks between Mansour and the dissatisfied commanders had failed.
“We waited for two months and wanted Mullah Mansour to understand the situation and step down to let the Supreme Council choose the new leader by consensus - but he failed,” said Niazi.
Representatives for Mansour were not available for comment.
The Taliban ruled Afghanistan, imposing a severe interpretation of Islam and Sharia, from the mid-1990s until 2001 when they were overthrown during a US-led invasion. But in recent years, and with the withdrawal of Western forces, their guerrilla forces have grown in influence.
Niazi did not suggest the dissident commanders would attack Mansour, who has considerable support. Instead, he said the dissident commanders will now direct their own attacks on the Afghan government and its foreign allies in Afghanistan.
“Anyone engaged in militant activities under the leadership of Mullah Mansour isn’t a jihadi,” he said. “We will now publicly oppose him.”
Niazi’s comments come after Omar’s son Yaqoob and brother Manan swore allegiance to Mansour this week. Omar’s family had initially opposed Mansour but agreed to support him after he agreed to a list of their demands.
Niazi said Mansour had threatened to cut Taliban funds that Manan had been receiving if he did not support Mansour’s leadership.
“Its an economic issue rather than religious,” Mullah Niazi said. “Mullah Yaqoob and Mullah Manan had never played any role in 20-year of jihad. They were sitting at home.”
“We founded the Islamic Emirate, we gave sacrifices and we brought it to this level. We are the real heirs of the Islamic Emirate.”
The Islamic Emirate is what the Taliban called Afghanistan under their rule.
Representatives for Omar’s family were unavailable for comment.
Niazi said the dissident Taliban included Mullah Abdul Qayum Zakir, a prominent commander formerly held in the US prison at Guantanamo Bay; Mullah Hasan Rahmani and Mohamad Rasool, two Taliban leaders with substantial power bases; and Mullah Abdul Razaq, a former Taliban minister of the interior.
A roadside bomb has killed five Afghan policemen on patrol in the eastern province of Paktia, officials said yesterday, the latest in a series of deadly insurgent attacks.
The blast in Zurmat district in the troubled province bordering Pakistan hit a police vehicle Saturday evening and killed all five officers on board, provincial police chief Zulmai Oryakhail told AFP.
The incident and death toll was confirmed by the provincial governor’s spokesman Naqib Ahmad Attal.
No group or individual immediately claimed responsibility but both officials blamed Taliban militants for the attack.
Roadside bombs are the favourite weapon of the Islamist militants fighting to oust the Western-backed Kabul government.
Separately a bomb explosion wounded at least eight civilians in Asad Abad, the capital of Kunar province also on the border with Pakistan, provincial police chief Abdul Habib Sayedkhili told AFP.
Militants frequently target Afghan police and military, but the surge in attacks has also taken a heavy toll on civilians.
Nearly 1,600 civilians were killed and 3,329 injured in the first half of this year, according to UN figures.
Nato ended its combat mission in Afghanistan last December and pulled out the bulk of its troops, leaving the front-line fight to Afghan forces.
A 13,000-strong residual foreign force remains for training and counter-terrorism operations.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Saturday vowed to boost his country’s fragile economy in a bid to retain some of the tens of thousands of his citizens seeking to migrate to industrialised countries in Europe and elsewhere.
“I am aware of the bad situation of Afghans in Greece, the Balkans or those seeking refuge in Australia or other countries,” Ghani told Tolo News television.
Afghans flee their homes during ongoing clashes between Afghan security forces and militants in Kot district of Nangarhar province yesterday.
