Why did armed clashes break out among Red Guard factions in 1967?

During the Cultural Revolution, armed clashes broke out among Red Guard factions in 1967 primarily due to intense internal competition for power and ideological legitimacy.12

As the movement progressed, the Red Guards splintered into numerous zealous factions. Each group claimed to be the sole "true" representative of Mao Zedong’s thought, leading to violent struggles as they vied for control in the wake of the overthrow of local party authorities. This factionalism was further fueled by the personality cult surrounding Mao, which had reached religious proportions and provided the momentum for the movement's radicalism.123

The situation was exacerbated by the political instability of the time, including the failed attempt by party leaders to halt the movement in February 1967—an event known as the "February adverse current"—which triggered a new, more radical upsurge. Additionally, when the military was called in to intervene, it often failed to provide unified support, instead experiencing its own internal divisions that contributed to the widespread disorder and anarchy throughout urban China.341