阿富汗塔利班也卷入继承纠纷

 　　ISLAMABAD—A crucial meeting of Afghan Taliban leaders and scholars has been in session for days now at an undisclosed location.

　　The goal: to resolve internal rifts 1 over succession that have been engulfing 2 the insurgent 3 group since it revealed late last month that its supreme 4 leader, Mullah Omar, had been dead for more than two years.
　　The gathering 5 is reportedly taking place somewhere in southwestern Pakistan near the Afghan border.
　　Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed to VOA on Friday that its religious scholars and elders have been in session to see the resolution through, but refused to discuss the location.
　　“Our scholars continue to hold discussions aimed at removing concerns and reservations of some of our estranged 6 brothers,” Mujahid said.
　　Afghan Taliban Are Embroiled 7 in Dispute Over Succession
　　Rifts denied
　　He insisted that reports of “rifts or any real differences” in Taliban ranks are misplaced and there is no threat to the integrity of the group.
　　Mullah Omar’s successor, Mullah Akthar Mansoor, is trying to secure his position against rivals who include family members of the deceased leader and other senior Taliban commanders.
　　Among them are Omar’s eldest 8 son, Mohammad Yakub, his uncle Abdul Manan and a top member of the insurgency 9, Abdul Qayum Zakir.
　　“All mujahidin and our longstanding allies have no objection to the new leadership; however, some friends and brothers have their complaints and differences of opinion that will be addressed very soon,” the Taliban spokesman asserted.
　　He said these issues are not a matter of serious concern for the group.
　　“It is natural to face this much difficulty whenever transition occurs,” said Mujahid, adding that the religious leaders have also met with Mansoor as part of the resolution effort.
　　After taking charge, Mansoor rejected peace talks with Kabul and vowed 10 to continue the insurgency against foreign forces and the Afghan government.
　　Just days after the announcement, a series of suicide and other bombings wrecked 11 Kabul, the capital city, in which more than 400 people were killed or injured. The Taliban claimed responsibility for most of these attacks.
　　Bilateral 12 tensions
　　The violence outraged 13 Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who blamed Pakistan for not preventing the insurgents 14 from gathering on its soil and plan cross-border attacks, charges Islamabad denied.
　　The bilateral tensions have threatened a recent thaw 15 in relations that Ghani initiated 16 to seek Pakistan’s help in ending the Afghan war.
　　Taliban spokesman Mujahid says its political office in Doha, Qatar is solely 17 authorized 18 to conduct peace talks but “there is no plan of holding such a dialogue with the Afghan government.”
　　He justified 19 the Taliban attacks across Afghanistan, saying they are part of its ongoing 20 ‘Azm’ (Resolve) offensive aimed at Afghans helping 21 and supporting foreign occupation forces” in Afghanistan.
　　Mujahid was referring to the NATO-led training and advising mission that mostly comprises U.S. soldiers.
　　Damning allegations
　　Taliban fighters and key commanders are allegedly using their bases in Pakistan for directing the Afghan insurgency, allegedly with the help of the neighboring country’s military spy agency.
　　Pakistan brokered 22 and hosted the first direct peace talks between the Taliban and Afghan government on July 7, the first contact between the warring sides in 14 years.
　　A second round was scheduled for July 31, but the news of Mullah Omar’s death prompted the insurgent group to pull out of the process until the leadership turmoil 23 was settled.
　　The rise in Taliban violence, coupled with tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, have raised questions about whether the window for the peace talks is closed.