Taliban, Islamic State Clash in Jowzjan: Officials

A security official on Thursday confirmed armed clashes between the Taliban and Islamic State (IS) militants in northern Jawzjan province of Afghanistan.

According to the official, the fighting took place in Jawzjan’s Qosh Tapa district and resulted casualties to both sides.

Provincial police Chief Rahmatullah Turkistani told Ariana News, “during the clashes three Daesh (Acronym for IS) militants were killed and four others injured; on the other side, two Taliban militants were killed and three wounded.”

Turkistani added that the clashes lasted for five hours and may start again soon as the two sides are gathering their loyalists.

The fighting was led by a Taliban commander named Qari Zia and a Daesh group commander named Qari Hekmat.

“The clashs erupt over Ushr and Zakat [taxes sanctioned by Islamic law],” Turkistani said.

The Taliban and the so-called Islamic State have attacked each other many times as they try to take or hold territory.

The two groups declared war on one another in January 2015 after Daesh announced the establishment of its branch in “Khorasan”, an old name for Afghanistan and parts of neighboring Pakistan, Iran and Central Asia.

By Farida Ameeni & Hesamuddin Hesam