kabul afghan president ashraf ghani bid oust one country powerful provincial governors run strong resistance deepen political uncertainty washington step campaign taliban insurgency atta mohammad noor governor strategically important northern province balkh refuse leave office week ghani office say president accept resignation name replacement standoff underline uncertain central government control remain outside capital volatile political situation become maneuver begin ahead presidential election schedule 2019. one number powerful regional leaders command strong local loyalty act semi-independently government atta noor long seek role national stage potential candidate 2019 election ally warn unless ghani reverse decision risk civil unrest threaten security allow taliban islamic state militants gain foothold balkh major economic hub sit lucrative trade rout central asia president ghani show flexibility responsible consequences say farhad azimi member parliament balkh province however say side interest confrontation would cause violence threaten security standoff alarm afghanistan western partner re-opened divisions partially cover u.s.-brokered agreement create ghani unity government follow dispute presidential election 2014. widespread claim fraud side election ghani finally instal president alongside former rival abdullah abdullah jamiat-i islami party take specially create post chief executive atta noor build strong regional power base balkh governor receive back party support mainly ethnic tajiks northern afghanistan many still resent ghani ethnic pashtun atta mohammad noor strong figure jamiat say bresha rabeh another member parliament balkh back however clash bitterly party rival abdullah call serpent whose teeth would break days silence abdullah confirm monday back decision remove atta noor dispute come u.s. force step air strike taliban militant group part beefed-up strategy aim force insurgents accept peace settlement 16 years war u.s. commanders say campaign significant success taliban impact risk dilute political turmoil undermine public confidence western-backed government turmoil deepen tensions tajiks pashtuns afghanistan two large ethnic group intensify undermine attempt build national unity parliamentary elections officially schedule next year doubt opposition group step pressure government former president hamid karzai call loya jirga council elders political leaders afghan political crisis deepen oust governor refuse go