Warlord launches attack on Afghan rival

A powerful warlord launched an assault against a rival commander and a provincial governor in northern Afghanistan today.

The fighting presents a new threat to the country’s fragile stability.

Forces loyal to Abdul Rashid Dostum moved into Faryab province on three fronts, said Deputy Defence Minister Rahim Wardak.

“Faryab is under attack,” Wardak said. “For sure, there are casualties, but I can’t confirm how many.”

A ministry spokesman said the government was rushing 750 troops from its new US trained national army to Faryab to calm the situation – the second deployment of its kind in less than a month.

Details were sketchy from the remote province, about 250 miles north-west of the capital, Kabul.

The clash adds to concerns about Afghanistan’s readiness for national elections due in September – and about tensions between the government of President Hamid Karzai and armed regional leaders keen to protect their autonomy.

Faryab intelligence chief Omayoun Haini said 2,000-3,000 of Dostum’s men armed with light weapons moved in from neighbouring provinces on 200 vehicles and 400 horses.