DATE=8/19/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHANISTAN - U-N (L-O)
NUMBER=2-252921
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Afghanistan's Taleban and opposition forces
are locked in heavy fighting in eastern and northern
parts of the war-ravaged country. Ayaz Gul reports
from Islamabad thousands of people have been displaced
by fighting that began late last month.
Text: Reports says the dominant Taleban faction
(Thursday) attacked opposition forces in eastern
Laghman province in an attempt to capture a key
district (Dawlat Shah), near the border with Pakistan.
Both sides are reportedly using heavy artillery in the
fighting.
The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (A-I-P) says
the Taleban also repulsed an opposition assault
(Istalif district) on its positions, about 50-
kilometers north of the Afghan capital.
Fighting in eastern Afghanistan broke out Monday when
opposition fighters led by Commander Ahmad Shah Masood
launched a series of surprised attacks against Taleban
forces in several Laghman, Kunar, and Nangarhar
provinces. The opposition is said to have gained
territory in the fighting.
The Taleban, which controls most of Afghanistan,
denied losing ground to commander Masood's fighters .
There is no independent confirmation of the reports.
The recent fighting in Afghanistan began late last
month when Taleban forces launched a major offensive
to dislodge their remaining opposition in the north of
the country.
The United Nations is expressing concern over the
massive displacement of civilians caused by the latest
upsurge in fighting. U-N refugee officials say about
20-thousand people have fled to Kabul in the past few
days from the fighting in Shamali valley, near the
front lines north of the Afghan capital.
The displaced people have accused the Taleban of
forcing them out of their homes in the valley, about
40-kilometers north of Kabul. (SIGNED)
NEB/AG/RAE
19-Aug-1999 09:13 AM EDT (19-Aug-1999 1313 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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