OSINT SUMMARY
Afghan security officials’ report reveals that 11 militants have been killed during the latest infighting between rival factions in Taliban terrorist group in Afghanistan.
The 11 militants were killed and another 10 critically wounded during the infighting between rival factions in Afghanistan’s western province of Herat.
According to Major General Taj Mohammad Jahed, Commander of the 207th Corps of the Afghan National Army, the skirmishes took place in Shindand district of the province some 662 kilometers (412 miles) west of the capital Kabul on Monday 7th December 2015, evening.
Reports indicate that loyalists of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour clashed with those loyal to Taliban commander Mullah Mohammad Rasool.
Mullah Rasool once served as governor of southern Nimruz province during Taliban’s reign in Afghanistan. His loyalists later also set fire to their rivals’ bases.
There has been a growing division among the Taliban militants in the area all going back to the disagreements over Taliban leadership.
The infighting and differences have major repercussions on smaller Taliban factions and which consequently has seen a string of defections in recent months following the news of the death of its former leader Mullah Omar.
Intelligence reports have pointed out that splinter groups within Taliban have refused to pledge allegiance to Mansour, who was elected in late July 2015 after the announcement of Mullah Omar death who died in 2013 but his death remained secret and thus causing disunity among the jihadist in the organization.
