DATE=8/7/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN FIGHTING (L)
NUMBER=2-252571
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=KABUL
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Afghanistan's opposition says its fighters
have retaken two districts in the north as they
continue to make gains against Taleban forces. As
correspondent Scott Anger reports from Kabul the swift
counter-offensive by opposition commander Ahmed Shah
Masood has halted the Taleban's plan to bring the
remaining 10-percent of the country under its control.
TEXT: An opposition spokesman says two districts in
the northern part of the country - Dasht-e-Archi-- in
Takhar province, and Imam Sahib in Kunduz province,
have been recaptured from Taleban forces.
The opposition says additional fighting has taken
place in Shir Khan Bander on the Oxus River along
Afghanistan's northern border, near Tajikistan.
In addition, the opposition says it has repelled an
offensive by Taleban forces in Takhar Province, which
has been supported by Taleban fighter planes.
Mr. Masood's forces say they are closing in on the
towns of Tagab and Najrab -- about 50-kilmeters
northeast of Kabul. There has been no comment from
the Taleban on the recent fighting. An independent
confirmation is not available.
Taleban fighter jets have been seen flying out of
Kabul civilian and military airports during the past
two-days.
Opposition fighters launched a counter attack against
the Taleben last Wednesday that dealt a blow to the
hard-line Islamic movement's plans to control all of
Afghanistan. The opposition quickly recaptured most
of the territory it lost and has driven the Taleban
back to where the front-line stood more than a week
ago.
Since capturing Kabul three-years ago, the Taleban
have fought to spread their strict form of Islam
throughout the country.
Taleban information minister Amir Khan Mutaqqi says
Taleban forces made a tactical retreat from the areas
they captured on the Shomali plain to avoid heavy
civilian causalities.
In Kabul, people have gone about their daily routines
as the two warring factions continue to battle for
control of Afghanistan -- which has suffered through
20-years of war. Shop-keepers throughout the city say
they are tired of the fighting and would like to see
peace come to their war-torn country.
Thursday, the U-N Security Council condemned the
Taleban for launching a massive offensive against the
opposition more than 10-days ago. The United Nations
is demanding an end to the fighting and has called for
both sides to work toward a peaceful settlement of the
Afghan conflict.
NEB/SA/TMD-T/RAE
07-Aug-1999 11:54 AM EDT (07-Aug-1999 1554 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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