August 9, 2000

UPDATE 2-Afghan rivals fight for key northern town
Aug 9 2000 2:04PM ET
KABUL (Reuters) - Forces of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement and its opponents fought intense battles Wednesday around a key opposition base near the border with Tajikistan and made rival claims of success.

Opposition 'resists' Taleban advance
BBC News
The Afghanistan opposition says it is fiercely resisting a major Taleban offensive in the northern town of Taloqan.
The town is a major base for the opposition Northern Alliance led by Ahmad Shah Masood, which controls 10%

Tens of Thousands Flee in the Wake of Pakistani-Taliban Offensives in the North
(August 5)--Taliban and Pakistani troops captured Bangi District, 15 km to the west of Taloqan City, the provincial capital of Takhar Province.

UN suspends demining in north-western Afghanistan
The United Nations has suspended mine-clearing operations in Badghis province in north-western Afghanistan following an ambush on Saturday in which seven of its Afghan workers were killed.

Loya Jirga team in Kandahar for talks with Taliban
By Tahir Khan
ISLAMABAD (NNI): A high level delegation of former Afghan King Zahir Shah Tuesday flew into southern Afghan city of Kandahar for talks with Taliban leaders on the Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) process to find out a peaceful

Annan Shocked at Attack on U.N.
Wednesday, August 9 10:13 AM SGT
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed to Afghan authorities on Tuesday to track down the gunmen who ambushed and killed seven relief workers last week.

UN considers arms embargo against Taliban
The Times of India
WASHINGTON: Stepping up its campaign against the Taliban government in Afghanistan, the United States said it is discussing with other UN Security Council members the possibility of imposing an arms embargo against that country.

Bin Laden supporting Jolo kidnappers
News24.com
Manila - Alleged international terrorist Osama bin Laden has provided funds to Muslim extremists holding more than a dozen hostages in the southern Philippines, Philippine Defence Secretary Orlando Mercado said on Wednesday.

Rabbani accuses Pakistan of helping Taliban
ISLAMABAD (NNI): The deposed Afghan President Professor Burhanuudin Rabbani has accused Pakistan of helping Taliban in the latest round of fighting against the opposition northern alliance.

Mullah Omar reiterates peace appeal
Frontier Post
KABUL (APP) - Heavy fighting raged on Sunday in northeastern Afghanistan, with the ruling Taliban militia trying to advance on the opposition stranglehold of Taloqan, resistance sources said.