The infighting between ISIS and Taliban leaves over 120 dead in northern parts of Afganistan

Bloody clashes between Islamic State and Taliban fighters have left more than 120 dead on both sides over the past three days in Afghanistan’s northern Jawzjan province, officials said Thursday.

72 Taliban and 52 Islamic State fighters were killed in the clashes that took place in Qushtepa and Darzab districts while around 100 others, including 60 Taliban fighters, were injured, spokesman for Jawzjan governor Mohammad Reza and provincial council Abdul Qadeer Maleya told dpa.

The fighting between both groups began some 10 days ago when the Taliban attacked Islamic State positions in the district in order to push them out of areas under IS control. Separately on Tuesday, two Islamic State fighters attacked a Taliban funeral ceremony in northern Sar-e-Pul province, leaving at least 15 militants dead. Five others were wounded.

An estimated 600 to 700 Islamic State members, including some 50 foreign fighters are present in Darzab district, officials say. The group has recently seen a surge in recruiting in the face of increasing Taliban pressure.

The Islamist extremist groups have long been fighting each other for territorial control in northern and eastern Afghanistan, especially Jawzan and Nangarhar provinces.

Source: Gulf Times