article_snippet.sent: Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN)The flag is crude, handmade, but the message is clear -- allegiance to ISIS in Afghanistan.
article_snippet.sent: It is often said that rivalry between the nascent ISIS presence and the Taliban, who remain the big guns in Afghanistan, is fierce enough to mean the ISIS fighters could be killed for brandishing the flag.
article_snippet.sent: MP Abdul Qader Qalatwal says: "People have seen foreigners from central Asian countries and Arab countries wearing black clothes and masks and having black flags in the districts of Khak Afghan and in parts of Arghandab."
article_snippet.sent: MP Esmatullah Shinwari says: "According to some reports, black flags have been seen in Nangarhar's Haska Mina district -- and a former Taliban local commander, Abdul Khaleq, is now claiming to be ISIS' representative in Nangarhar's Haska Mina district.
article_snippet.sent: Farah: Senator Haji Gul Ahmad Azimi says: "According to the reports I have received from local officials in Farah: Senator Haji Gul Ahmad Azimi, a number of foreign fighters -- including women -- have been seen in the district of Khak Safid, wearing mostly black clothes, and some [with] the Arabic headscarf.
article_snippet.sent: Wardak says: "I don't think ISIS fighters from Syria and Iraq have come here to Afghanistan -- but hardcore Taliban members who have understood that the Taliban name is dying have changed the color of Taliban members who have understood that the Taliban name is dying flags from white to black in order to stay alive.
article_snippet.sent: I know that some black flags have been seen in Wardak province, raised by ex-Taliban fighters.
article_snippet.sent: Deputy Governor Mohammad Ali Ahmadi says: "There are ex-Taliban fighters operating under the name of ISIS in Ghazni province at the moment who have changed their flag from white to black.
highlights_snippet.sent: Rivalry between ISIS and the Taliban in Afghanistan is fierce enough to mean ISIS militants could be killed for brandishing the flag .