Infighting between militant groups claims over a dozen lives in N. Afghanistan

[Robb]

Source: Xinhua

KABUL, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Over a dozen people have been killed as infighting erupted between two groups of anti-government militants in Afghanistan's northern Baghlan province on Saturday, provincial governor Hajji Akbar Barikzai said.

"The clash erupted between Taliban and Hekmatyar-led Islamic party Hizb-e-Islami in Kokchinar area of Baghlan-e-Markazi district early morning and so far some 20 people from both sides have been killed," Barikzai told Xinhua.

Neither Taliban nor Hizb-e-Islami outfit has made comment.

Meantime, a villager who refused to be named said that at least six people from both sides had been killed and several others sustained injuries.

Read more: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2010-03/06/c_13200019.htm

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First, in case you don't usually click through to the article, please do, because the funniest euphemism for "opium protection money" I've ever seen in print is in there: "The reason for the clash, according to Mangal, is rivalry on extending power and collecting taxes from agricultural products in the area." :rofl:

We've been seeing a smattering of Taliban internal conflict in the past weeks, which hasn't been the norm since Mullah Omar rose to power. I find this to be excellent news.

[Pirate Smile]

1. There are definitely some changing dynamics.

[quaker bill]

2. Methodical

It seems the plan has been to work up the chain of command. They started with local management, moved to middle management over the summer, to senior management over the last few months, and now seem to be getting to the executive level.

I believe the notion to be that once enough of the management is removed, this sort of anarchy will commence. In general, this area has been run by smugglers and petty warlords for 1000+ years. Infighting and competition kept any one element from getting too large and kept the fighting local and internal. It has only recently organized into something more coherent and threatening. I expect we are trying to put things back this more historic pattern. This seems like change that can be accomplished.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Over sixty now

At least 60 militants have been killed in fighting between the Taliban and a rival Islamic group, Hezb-e-Islami, in northern Afghanistan, police say.

The fighting in Baghlan province erupted on Saturday morning. A number of civilians died in the crossfire.

A police spokesman told the BBC it appeared to be a power struggle to establish control over local villages.

Hezb-e-Islami, loyal to former PM Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, is the second biggest militant group in Afghanistan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8554050.stm

[Robb]

5. Interesting development

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ilGWl-MBqWESySOyGvTf9wqFgZ_AD9E9QSG80

...Apparently fighters for Hezb-e-Islami are "defecting" and seeking government troop support. I can't imagine how this will pan out, as the one thing that seems to unite these factions (other than greed and religious zealotry) is a hatred of all things Karzai. :shrug:

[proteus_lives]

4. Good.

Let them devour each other.