Taliban-ISIS turf war kills 27 in Afghanistan

Ongoing clashes between Taliban and Islamic State jihadists in western Afghanistan have left at least 27 insurgents dead and 20 other people injured, officials told Efe news agency.

Afghan military spokesman Mohamad Hanif Rezaey specified that 15 ISIS jihadists and 12 from the Taliban were killed in fighting on Sunday afternoon in three areas within Farah province's Khak-e-Safid district. Among the injured were 13 ISIS members and seven from Taliban ranks.

"Taliban fighters captured alive 12 alleged ISIS members, including four women of foreign nationalities, however, their nationalities are still uncertain," the spokesperson explained, adding that Afghan security forces would not intervene unless civilians become involved.

Meanwhile, Taliban suicide bombers attacked a court in Wardak province yesterday, killing two police officers before being shot dead as they entered the compound, the police chief said. The police officers were killed when one of the bombers detonated his vest at the first entrance. 

Separately, at least 26 Afghan police or soldiers have been killed in multiple Taliban attacks in the volatile south, including a 16-hour siege of a college dormitory, officials said yesterday.

Taliban militants raided several police outposts in Naw Zad district in the restive opium-rich province of Helmand late Monday killing 16 security forces.

Another militant attack in Waza Khwa district in the southeastern province of Paktika left at least eight police dead and ten wounded late Monday.