ASADABAD (SW) – At least fifty armed rebels are killed in fight for turf between the Taliban and the pro-Daesh militants in Kunar province.
A well-placed source told Salam Watandar the fighting has been underway in the Korangal area of the Manogay district. Ghani Musmim, spokesman for the provincial governor, confirmed the clashes, but said he has no confirmed figures about the casualties.
However, a well-placed security source told SW at least 30 pro-Daesh militants and at least 20 Taliban militants have been killed and many more got injured. The source stated the pro-Daesh rebels have surrounded the whole area, and are not allowing the locals to move. The source informed up to 400 Daesh fighters and little less than that number of the Taliban are present in the area.
Deputy Chairman for the provincial council, Abdul Lateef Fazli, said the Daesh fighters are using advanced arms, and are having additional troops converging on Korangal from different parts of Kunar and even Nangarhar. He said the Taliban wished to overrun this strategically important area, but the Daesh fighters have prepared at least 15 child suicide bombers against them.
A number of locals said telecommunications are not working in the area. Both of the two groups have not commented on this so far.
There was a U.S. military base in Korangal, but after they left, the Taliban overran the area. Later, many of the Taliban fighters here joined the ranks of the Daesh.
ENDS
