At least 50 dead in violent clashes in southern Afghanistan as group split over appointment of new leader stokes tension. Violent clashes between two rival Taliban groups have resulted in the death of at least 50 fighters from both sides, a police chief told Al Jazeera.
On Sunday, Mirwais Noorzai said fighters led by the newly appointed leader Mullah Mohammad Rasool clashed with those loyal to Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor in Zabul province.
"Civilians have left the area due to heavy clashes between the two groups," he said.
"The fight took place in the Arghandab district of Zabul province. Most of the area is under the Taliban control. We've been asking for military assistance for very long now."
Anwar Ishaqzai, governor of southern Zabul province, said the Taliban splinter group - known as the High Council of Afghanistan Islamic Emirate - has joined up with fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) group.
"The Taliban faction under Mullah Rasool was backed by the ISIL and Uzbek fighters in the fight," he said.
"About 40 Taliban from Rasool's group and 10 from Mansoor's have been killed in the fight."
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