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Featured Story Taliban Launches Major Offensive
Associated Press Writer Wednesday, July 28, 1999; 8:08 a.m. EDT KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia has launched a major offensive against the opposition alliance on three fronts north of the capital, officials said today. Both sides confirmed the attacks. Each recently has accused the other of gearing up for an all-out assault, and fighting has intensified since two days of peace talks in Uzbekistan last week failed to yield a cease-fire agreement. The Taliban, which control almost 90 percent of Afghanistan, including the capital, Kabul, are fighting to extend their strict Islamic rule over the entire country. ``Our forces have smashed the defensive line of the enemy in the Tagab area,'' 60 miles northeast of Kabul, said Sher Mohammad Abass Stankzai, the Taliban's deputy minister for health. In Koh-e-safi and Bagram, about 35 miles north of Kabul, opposition fighters were putting up strong resistance, he said. Opposition spokesman Dr. Abdullah, who uses only one name, said the alliance intercepted radio communications indicating the offensive involved 3,500 Taliban troops. He said fighting began early in the morning and continued through the day, including artillery exchanges and aerial assaults by Taliban planes. ``We were expecting their attack after the peace talks failed,'' Abdullah said. He admitted the Taliban had made gains in the Tagab area but said attacks were repulsed on two other fronts with heavy Taliban casualties. The opposition fired at least two rockets that apparently were aimed at Kabul's airport. No casualties were reported. The airport was hit by 11 rockets on Tuesday, forcing cancellation of U.N. and Red Cross aid flights. Last year, in a string of victories, the Taliban captured key opposition strongholds, including Mazar-e-Sharif city. Witnesses said truckloads of Taliban soldiers were seen headed toward the northern front line all week.
The Taliban are Sunni Muslims and mostly Pashtun -- the majority ethnic group of Afghanistan -- and follow a harsh version of Islam. The opposition alliance comprises ethnic and religious minorities.
© 1999 The Associated Press | |||||||||
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Afghanistan
