DATE=9/23/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN FIGHTING (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254248
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In Afghanistan, the Taleban and opposition
Northern Alliance are making conflicting claims about
military gains in the northwest of the country. Ayaz
Gul reports from Islamabad.
Text: An opposition spokesman says after several days
of fierce fighting Northern Alliance forces captured
scores of villages from the Taleban in two
northwestern Afghan provinces (Farah and Ghor).
Reports say the latest battlefield advances have put
opposition forces within striking range of a key
Taleban air base (Shindand) in western Farah province.
A Taleban spokesman says the opposition's claims are
baseless. The Pakistan-based "Afghan Islamic Press"
quotes the spokesman as saying Taleban forces have
not lost any territory in the area.
There is no independent confirmation of the
fighting.
The Taleban controls 90-percent of Afghanistan. Since
capturing Kabul in 1996, the Islamic movement has
repeatedly failed to dislodge Commander Ahmad Shah
Masood and his forces from the remaining ten-percent.
Afghan analysts say the latest military clashes could
be another attempt by the Taleban and Commander Masood
to capture as many areas as possible before winter
sets in. The warring factions in Afghanistan use
winter to re-group and stock up on supplies. (Singed)
NEB/AG/KL
23-Sep-1999 09:40 AM EDT (23-Sep-1999 1340 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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