Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


          Afghan Official: Deadly Clashes Between Rival Taliban Groups

   by Associated Press

   An Afghan official says casualties are mounting in clashes between
   rival Taliban factions in the southeast of the country.

   Gul Islam Sayal, the spokesman for the governor of Zabul province, said
   on Monday at least 47 fighters in all have been killed in three days of
   fighting. He says another 53 have been wounded and that at least 18
   from a new, splinter Taliban group have been captured by the other
   side.

   Several senior Taliban figures broke from the main insurgent group last
   week and elected Mullah Mohammad Rasool, formerly a Taliban governor,
   as "supreme leader."

   Rasool's faction opposes Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, who assumed power after
   the announcement of the death of Taliban founder Mullah Mohammad Omar
   this summer. Mullah Omar is said to have been dead for two years.

     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/ap-afghan-official-deadly-clashes-bet
   ween-rival-taliban-groups/3049645.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/ap-afghan-official-deadly-clashes-between-rival-taliban-groups/3049645.html