DATE=9/27/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN FIGHTING (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-254357
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Afghanistan's Taleban movement says it has
made strategic gains against opposition forces in the
northern part of the country, capturing two key towns
after three days of bloody fighting. VOA's Scott
Anger reports from neighboring Pakistan.
TEXT: Fighters of the Taleban movement have seized
the towns of Dasht-i-Archi and Imam Sahib, both in
Kunduz province along Afghanistan's northern border
with Tajikistan. The gains come as the hard-line
Islamic movement fights to dislodge opposition forces
in the region, which has been outside the Taleban's
control since it captured the capital, Kabul, in 1996.
The latest fighting appears to be the second phase of
an offensive launched by the Taleban in July. Taleban
fighters swept north through the Shomali Plain, about
60 kilometers from Kabul, driving opposition fighters
back into their stronghold in the Panjsher Valley.
The opposition quickly regrouped and launched a
counter-offensive that drove the Taleban back to the
original battle lines.
During the last three days, Taleban planes have bombed
opposition positions in Takhar province, reportedly
causing heavy damage and a number of casualties.
Opposition forces have acknowledged losing ground in
the province.
In northern Afghanistan, overland supply routes form
the backbone of opposition commander Ahmad Shah
Masood's ties to the outside world. Loyal to
Afghanistan's previous government, commander Masood
and his fighters have fought hard to maintain control
of about 10 percent of the country in order to keep
the supply lines to Central Asian secure.
The Taleban says Russia, Iran and some Central Asian
republics support the opposition. The United Nations
has called on Afghanistan's neighbors to stop
supplying the fighting factions, but none of its
neighbors admit to supporting the war.
The Taleban fighters have been trying to gain control
of all of Afghanistan with the aim of setting up -
what they call - a pure Islamic nation. So far, they
have managed to take over about 90 percent of the
country since capturing the capital three years ago.
Only Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab
Emirates recognize the Taleban as the legitimate
government of Afghanistan. (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/JP
27-Sep-1999 09:36 AM EDT (27-Sep-1999 1336 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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