Islamabad, 4 November 1997 (RFE/RL) - There are reports today of fresh fighting in Afghanistan between forces of warlords General Rashid Dostam and his former ally General Abdul Malik.
The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press reports that at least 11 people were killed and more than 40 injured. The reports say Dostam's troops captured the small northern town of Andkhoi, west of Mazar-i-Sharif, and were pushing towards Maimana, capital of Faryab province and Malik's headquarters. There is no independent confirmation.
Dostam had to flee Mazar-i-Sharif, the main opposition stronghold, in May in the wake of a rebellion by Malik, who seized most of the northern provinces with the support of the Taliban militia.
Malik's alliance with the Taliban was shortlived after differences over implementation of Islamic laws in the north led to bloody street fighting leaving some 200 Taliban fighters dead, and close to 500 imprisoned by Malik.
The Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press reports that at least 11 people were killed and more than 40 injured. The reports say Dostam's troops captured the small northern town of Andkhoi, west of Mazar-i-Sharif, and were pushing towards Maimana, capital of Faryab province and Malik's headquarters. There is no independent confirmation.
Dostam had to flee Mazar-i-Sharif, the main opposition stronghold, in May in the wake of a rebellion by Malik, who seized most of the northern provinces with the support of the Taliban militia.
Malik's alliance with the Taliban was shortlived after differences over implementation of Islamic laws in the north led to bloody street fighting leaving some 200 Taliban fighters dead, and close to 500 imprisoned by Malik.