Afghan Taliban take apparent dig at IS over Hazara killings
KABUL: The Taliban have condemned the killing of 13 minority Hazaras as a plot to "breed fault lines", in an apparent dig at the rival self-styled Islamic State (IS) group making gradual inroads into Afghanistan.
Gunmen on Saturday shot dead 13 Hazaras after dragging them out of their vehicles in the usually tranquil northern Balkh province, in a rare fatal attack targeting ethnic minorities.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
Observers say IS have struggled to gain a firm foothold in Afghanistan because of the lack of a deeply sectarian environment — unlike Syria and Iraq where the group has captured large swathes of territory.
"These acts are being perpetrated to breed fault lines, intolerance and discrimination," the Taliban said referring to Saturday's attack, without naming IS.
"We strongly condemn this incident... (and) call on our nation to be vigilant of all enemy plots," said the statement posted on their website on Sunday.
IS has been trying for months to establish itself in Afghanistan's eastern badlands, challenging the Taliban on their own turf.
Its franchise in the war-torn country has managed to recruit some disaffected Taliban fighters, as the fractious Afghan militant movement wrestles with a bitter power transition.
But the loss of senior commanders in drone strikes and the group's signature brutality, which repels many Afghans, has helped stem its advance.
Frequent clashes and fire fights with Taliban insurgents have also hampered its bid to capture significant territory.
The Taliban, who have themselves often been accused of savagery during their 14-year insurgency, are seeking to appear as a bulwark against IS's rein of brutality and as a legitimate group waging an Islamic war.
Earlier this month the Taliban condemned a "horrific" video that apparently showed IS fighters blowing up bound and blindfolded Afghan prisoners with explosives.
Comments (22) Closed
Talibans and afghan government should destroy IS before they destroy them .
Though Daesh is a step ahead, but Talibans are the pioneers of modern age brutality. Haven't they killed innocent Hazaras in the past? Haven't they killed thousands of innocent civilians? What about the never ending suicidal attacks, which the Taliban very proudly clam. IS and Talibans are the two sides of the same coin.
The irony.
Classic vs Modern criminals.. Wow
@Danish Which thousand civilians have been killed by Afghani Talibans? Afghan Talibans are from within the people of Afghanistan and their brethren bond is self-evident with the locals support to the Afghan Talibans
@Danish Kudos to you mate. Guantanamo bay (The modern age brutality center) was ran by Taliban ? Taliban attacked over Japan with Atoms ? Millions of people in Afghanistan and Iraq are killed in airstrikes and tanks bombard by Taliban ? Try to be a bit realistic.
Criminal groups are never army.
Whether one agree or disagree with Taliban policies, there is no denying that they are the son of soil, while ISIS is an "imported" phenomena in Afghanistan. One of the main factor behind the emergence of Taliban is the ethnic fault lines which divide the Pakhtoon south to farsi (Persian) speaking north. This is the sad reality of Afghan affairs for centuries and those who are pointing to past Taliban actions against the northerners are indulging in selective historical reference while ignoring the reality of what the farsawan (northern Afghan) did to Taliban before they came to power back in 90s.
@Waseem Khan help youself to check out the attacks on Kabul and also their reign of terror and their treatment of other ethnicities and sects.
Both Afghan govt., & Taliban should join hands to save Afghans from the IS before it is too late.
IS need similar inhuman treatment to deter them from committing savagery against innocent people.
Followers of IS have every thing in them except Islam.
Pot calling the Kettle Black.
When Government fail to provide employment, others provide and recruit as ISIS or Taliban.
One group of massmurderers complaining about another group of savage killers?...they both should be eliminated from civilized society...
Afghan taliban under new leadership , it seems, have different approach towards issues. One hope, it augur well for the peace in this region.
so said news for all humans hazara is brave nation
They sound like Human Rights activists!
@Waseem Khan What short memory you have Taliban still killing innocent people in Afghanistan through suicide bombings
@Taimoor Khan "Afghan taliban under new leadership , it seems, have different approach towards issues. One hope, it augur well for the peace in this region" it is your wishful thinking because Taliban now have divided in many factions and most of the factions are in favour of continued war rather anarchy in the Afghanistan so that they can continue to fill their pockets
IS in Afghanistan is made up of ex-Taliban who wanted more action and blood on their own rather than be a certain neighbour's proxy. They have the upper hand as they know all about the Taliban from inside out.
@Taimoor Khan After reading your comments one can only understand two things
When will this stop. The international strategy to contain blood shedding has not bore a good result. The legal planners have to do more to counter the hidden planners out there to destroy world peace.