Taliban–ISIL conflict in Afghanistan

On 11 November 2015, fighting had broke out between different Taliban factions in the Zabul Province of Afghanistan. Fighters loyal to the new Taliban leader Akhtar Mansoor began to fight a pro-ISIL faction led by Mullah Mansoor Dadullah. Dadullah's faction received support from ISIL during the clashes, and ISIL fighters also joined in on the fighting alongside Dadullah, including foreign fighters from Chechnya and Uzbekistan. However, Dadullah and ISIL were eventually defeated by Mansoor's forces. According to Ghulam Jilani Farahi, provincial director of security in Zabul, more than 100 militants from both sides were killed during the fighting.[6]

In March 2016, Taliban factions opposed to Mansoor led by Muhammad Rasul began to fight against his loyalists in the group, during the fighting dozens were reported killed.[7]

On 26 April 2017, fighting occurred after ISIL captured 3 drug dealers who were involved in selling opium for the Taliban in Jowzjan Province. An Afghan National Police spokesman stated that the Taliban attacked ISIL in response, saying "The clashes erupted when group of armed Taliban attacked Daesh militants [to secure] the release of three drug smugglers who came here to pay 10 million afghanis [$14,780] to the Taliban for a deal." The Taliban's spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid had also confirmed clashes were ongoing with ISIL at the time without providing details on the nature of the fight or reasons.[8]

On 24 May 2017, a clash between the Taliban and ISIL occurred, which at the time had reportedly been the largest clash between the two with 22 casualties, 13 of which were ISIL fighters and 9 Taliban fighters according to a Taliban official. The clashes occurred near Iran's border with Afghanistan. The Taliban had attacked an ISIL camp in the area, an ISIL commander whom was formerly a Taliban member said that there was an agreement between the Taliban and ISIL not to attack each other until there was dialogue, the commander claimed that the Taliban had violated the agreement and attacked the ISIL camp. The ISIL commander also claimed the attack was coordinated with the Iranian military and that there were Iranians filming dead ISIL fighters. The Taliban splinter faction Fidai Mahaz has also criticized the Taliban for its relationship with Iran. Days before the battle the Taliban reportedly met with Iranian officials to discuss regional issues. A spokesman for Fidai Mahaz claimed the meeting was held at the request of the Taliban, as it was weary of the expansion of ISIL in the country, which also concerned the Iranian government. The spokesman also said that the Taliban received 3 million USD in cash, 3,000 arms and 40 trucks and ammunition from Iran's intelligence services in order to fight ISIL near the Iranian border, although a Taliban spokesman denied the allegations.[9][10]

On 20 June 2018, after talks between the Russian government and the Taliban, US assistant secretary of state Alice Wells condemned the Russian government's position on the Taliban that included backing for the group against ISIL, stating it gave the Taliban legitimacy and challenged the recognized Afghan government.[11]

In July 2018, the Taliban launched an offensive against ISIL in the Jowzjan province, the Taliban reportedly according to a surrendered ISIL commander, had amassed 2,000 for the offensive against ISIL, fighters from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan whom had sworn allegiance to ISIL were also present fighting alongside ISIL against the Taliban. During the fighting 3,500 to 7,000 civilians were displaced. By the end of July ISIL's hold in the region was reduced to two villages by the Taliban's campaign, in response they requested support from the Afghan government, and also agreed to put down their arms in exchange for protection from the Taliban. The Afghan Air Force later carried out airstrikes against the Taliban in exchange for ISIL's surrender in the region, the agreement between the Afghan government and ISIL created controversy afterwards.[12][13]

In August 2018, during negotiations between the US government and the Taliban in Doha, the Taliban had requested the US end airstrikes on the Taliban as well as provide support to the group in order to fight ISIL.[14]

On 22 June 2019, Heavy clashes were reported in Kunar between the Taliban and ISIL, by an Afghan government official. The official also claimed that the Afghan military had killed several ISIL fighters in the area and that the Taliban was active in the area as well.[15]

On 29 June 2019, ISIL released photos of weapons captured from the Taliban.[16] On the same day ISIL published a video of its fighters renewing their Bayah to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in the video fighters criticized the Taliban for engaging in peace talks and called upon Taliban fighters to join ISIL.[17]

On 1 August 2019, the Amaq News Agency claimed that ISIL had killed 5 Taliban members during clashes in Kunar.[18]

On 1 October 2019, ISIL claimed to have killed and wounded 20 Taliban fighters in Tora Bora.[19]