Afghan militants battle Taliban, defect to gov't

[NJmaverick]

KABUL – Dozens of fighters died in armed clashes between the Taliban and another Islamist group in northeastern Afghanistan, and some militants defected to Afghan government forces Sunday as battles raged, officials said.
Fighters for the Hezb-e-Islami militia, loyal to regional warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, battled the Taliban with rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine guns in Baghlan province, provincial Gov. Mohammad Akbar Barakzai said.
At least 50 militants and an unknown number of civilians have died in the fighting that started Saturday morning and was continuing through Sunday night. Officials said the battles were apparently over control of several villages where the government has almost no presence.
Violent clashes between anti-government factions are rare, although various loosely allied militias have their own agendas and power struggles are relatively common.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100307/ap_on_re_as/as_afghan_militant_infighting;_ylt=Atc2x1VnfcGXHct7kyC8KGABxg8F;_ylu=X3oDMTM0MzJvOWpmBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwMzA3L2FzX2FmZ2hhbl9taWxpdGFudF9pbmZpZ2h0aW5nBHBvcwMxMwRzZWMDeW5fcGFnaW5hdGVfc3VtbWFyeV9saXN0BHNsawNhZmdoYW5taWxpdGE-

More bad news for the Taliban

[Robb]

1. Indeed. But I'm not sure it's good news for the government, either.

Hekmatyar's forces may sign on, but they can't be counted upon. They hate Karzai as much as the Taliban.

Now, the situation will change when Karzai steps down. You heard it here first. ;)

[NJmaverick]

2. Robb even if they just take an enemy off the battle field

that will hurt the Taliban and help the government. This sort of infighting is destructive to any side and will certainly hurt the Taliban.

[Robb]

3. Oh, sure.

I'm just crystal-ball gazing.

This story's been interesting to follow, actually. Government forces sort of cordoned the area off and watched, and as people were wounded picked them up and treated them, keeping civilians out of the firefight as well.

I like the idea of that. "You guys go nuts, we'll be waiting here like civilized people until you finish." It sends a good message to the locals, if nothing else.