DATE=8/16/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN FIGHTING (L)
NUMBER=2-252831
BYLINE=SARAH HORNER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Opposition soldiers have reportedly opened new
fronts in eastern Afghanistan as the latest upsurge in
fighting continues. From Islamabad, Sarah Horner
reports a Pakistan-based news agency says Afghan
opposition fighters have also taken ground in the
west.
Text: News agencies say the opposition Northern
Alliance has captured several districts in Laghman and
Kunar provinces after fierce fighting against Taleban
troops.
Laghman is about 90-kilometers northeast of
Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, and Kunar is about 150-
kilometers from the city. Both provinces are close to
the Panjshir Valley headquarters of opposition
commander Ahmad Shah Massood who is leading the fight
against the Taleban.
The Pakistan-based "Afghan Islamic Press" (A-I-P)
quotes a spokesman who says opposition fighters have
also launched attacks in the eastern Nangarhar
province, which borders Kunar, Laghman, and
neighboring Pakistan. In addition, the spokesman says
the opposition has captured the capital of Ghor
province, 350-kilometers west of Kabul.
According to A-I-P, the Taliban have launched a
counter-attack in Nangarhar and fighting is continuing
there.
Taleban fighters control 90-per cent of Afghanistan
and last month launched an offensive against Commander
Massood in a bid to bring all the country under
Taleban control.
Commander Massood is the leader of the opposition
Northern Alliance that has fought the Taleban since
the Islamic movement captured Kabul three-years ago.
Other opposition leaders have lost their territory to
the Taleban and have left Afghanistan.
The United Nations has called for both parties to stop
hostilities. The world body also says it has asked
the Taleban to stop the forced relocation of civilians
to Kabul from areas north of the capital where
fighting is taking place. Taleban officials say the
relocation is to protect the civilians. (SIGNED)
NEB/SLH/RAE
16-Aug-1999 10:08 AM LOC (16-Aug-1999 1408 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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