DATE=8/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=AFGHAN FIGHTING (L-O)
NUMBER=2-265094
BYLINE=SCOTT ANGER
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Reports out of Afghanistan say the country's
ruling Taleban movement has captured a key opposition-
held town, after heavy fighting. As Correspondent
Scott Anger reports, the latest round of fighting
started last week.
TEXT: Afghan Islamic Press says Taleban forces have
entered Ishkamish, in the northern Takar Province,
after heavy fighting overnight. The town is a
strategic point along the land route between
opposition Commander Ahmad Shah Masood's stronghold in
the Panjshir Valley and Afghanistan's northern-most
provinces.
Thursday's advance is the latest in a week-long push
by the Taleban to cut off supply routes used by the
opposition. Backed by heavy artillery and air
support, the Taleban captured Nahrin District in
Baghlan Province, last week, effectively cutting one
of several supply routes to the country's northern
border with Tajikistan. The Taleban accuse several
central Asian states, including Tajikistan, of aiding
the opposition. In turn, opposition leaders accuse
neighboring Pakistan of aiding the Taleban.
Afghanistan's warring factions have ignored repeated
international calls to stop fighting and bring an end
to the bloody civil war, which has killed ten of
thousands of people.
The hard-line Taleban -- which control about 90
percent of the country -- has been trying to spread
its harsh form of Islam throughout Afghanistan since
capturing the capital, Kabul in 1996.
The opposition, which still controls about 10 percent
in the northern-most part of the country, is aligned
with the government ousted by the Taleban. Commander
Masood's opposition forces are the last remaining
obstacles to the Taleban winning complete control over
the country. (SIGNED)
NEB/SA/wd
03-Aug-2000 04:41 AM LOC (03-Aug-2000 0841 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
|
Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list
|
|
|
