Afghan authorities, U.N., try to mediate end to fighting

KABUL, Afghanistan -- Authorities were trying to mediate an end Thursday to the latest outbreak of violence in Afghanistan's troubled north, where rival factions have battled for several days, a U.N. spokesman said.

At least five people were injured this week in the northern town of Piruz Nakshir in clashes between forces loyal to Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum and those of his rival Atta Mohammed, U.N. spokesman Manoel de Almeida e Silva said.

It was unclear what caused the clashes, but Almeida e Silva said the fighting was part of a local power struggle "that was rekindled due to a dispute between two soldiers."

Dostum, an ethnic Uzbek, and Mohammed, an ethnic Tajik, promised to work together to restore peace after the collapse of the Taliban regime last year. But tensions between local commanders have frequently degenerated into gunbattles.

Two days of similar clashes last week between forces loyal to the two sides in the nearby town of Dar-e-Suf left at least three people dead, according to the United Nations.

A security commission, which includes representatives of local factions and a U.N. representative, was set up in April in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif to help stabilize the area.

A delegation from the commission traveled to Dar-e-Suf to investigate the clashes there this week. As it was headed back to Mazar-e-Sharif on Tuesday, it got word of new fighting at Piruz Nakshir.

A cease-fire was brokered Tuesday, but fighting resumed Wednesday night and continued on Thursday, Almeida e Silva said.

A delegation from the security commission was headed back to Piruz Nakshir on Thursday to try to stop the fighting, he said.