diff --git a/cassandra/cqlengine/operators.py b/cassandra/cqlengine/operators.py
index 0aa29d94..c4f9828f 100644
--- a/cassandra/cqlengine/operators.py
+++ b/cassandra/cqlengine/operators.py
@@ -60,6 +60,11 @@ class EqualsOperator(BaseWhereOperator):
     cql_symbol = '='
 
 
+class NotEqualsOperator(BaseWhereOperator):
+    symbol = 'NE'
+    cql_symbol = '!='
+
+
 class InOperator(EqualsOperator):
     symbol = 'IN'
     cql_symbol = 'IN'
diff --git a/cassandra/cqlengine/query.py b/cassandra/cqlengine/query.py
index f9e1a75d..3f9414a2 100644
--- a/cassandra/cqlengine/query.py
+++ b/cassandra/cqlengine/query.py
@@ -560,10 +560,11 @@ class AbstractQuerySet(object):
                 raise QueryException('{0} is not a valid query operator'.format(operator))
             clone._conditional.append(operator)
 
-        for col_name, val in kwargs.items():
+        for arg, val in kwargs.items():
             if isinstance(val, Token):
                 raise QueryException("Token() values are not valid in conditionals")
 
+            col_name, col_op = self._parse_filter_arg(arg)
             try:
                 column = self.model._get_column(col_name)
             except KeyError:
@@ -574,7 +575,9 @@ class AbstractQuerySet(object):
             else:
                 query_val = column.to_database(val)
 
-            clone._conditional.append(ConditionalClause(col_name, query_val))
+            operator_class = BaseWhereOperator.get_operator(col_op or 'EQ')
+            operator = operator_class()
+            clone._conditional.append(WhereClause(column.db_field_name, operator, query_val))
 
         return clone
 
diff --git a/cassandra/cqlengine/statements.py b/cassandra/cqlengine/statements.py
index f5f626a4..aaa6d5bf 100644
--- a/cassandra/cqlengine/statements.py
+++ b/cassandra/cqlengine/statements.py
@@ -527,8 +527,6 @@ class BaseCQLStatement(UnicodeMixin):
         :param clause: The clause that will be added to the iff statement
         :type clause: ConditionalClause
         """
-        if not isinstance(clause, ConditionalClause):
-            raise StatementException('only instances of AssignmentClause can be added to statements')
         clause.set_context_id(self.context_counter)
         self.context_counter += clause.get_context_size()
         self.conditionals.append(clause)