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Deadly Clashes In North Afghanistan Over Torn-Down Posters


Supporters of Afghan Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum rally in Mazar-e Sharif on March 22.
Supporters of Afghan Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum rally in Mazar-e Sharif on March 22.

At least one person has died after a demonstration between supporters of two rival former warlords turned violent in northern Afghanistan.

At least four people were also wounded in the March 24 violence in Maimana, the capital of Faryab Province.

The clashes involved thousands of supporters of ethnic Uzbek Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum and Balkh Province Governor Atta Mohammad Noor, a Tajik.

The violence broke out during a demonstration by Dostum's supporters after billboards featuring the vice president were defaced or ripped down altogether in the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif on March 19.

Local officials say security forces had to intervene to stop the violence.

Dostum and Noor have both fought against Soviet troops and the Taliban.

Based on reporting by dpa and Pajhwok

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