Iran to extend troop deployment near Afghan border
Wed 02 Sep 98 - 06:21 GMT

TEHRAN, Sept 2 (AFP) - Iranian forces will remain near the Afghan border even after the end of three days of unprecedented military exercises there, a top military commander said on Wednesday.

"The troops and equipment taking part in the Ashura-3 manoeuvres in the northeast of the country will not be withdrawn," said Revolutionary Guards commander Rahim Safavi.

More than 70,000 Revolutionary Guards from land and air forces and volunteers began their largest-ever exercises in northeastern Iran on Tuesday amid mounting tension with the Taliban militia in neighbouring Afghanistan.

General Safavi said the manoeuvres are aimed at testing the elite force's ability to move" against enemy forces, according to press reports.

Tehran has voiced fears of possible security threats from the Taliban rule in the neighboring country, and accused the militia of engaging in drug trafficking to Europe via Iranian territory.

Iran is particularly angry over the continuing captivity of 10 Iranian diplomats and other nationals allegedly seized by the militia after its takeover on August 8 of Mazar-i-Sharif, a city in northern Afghanistan which was previously controlled by Iranian-backed Afghan opposition forces.