You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Afghanistan
Dostum takes Sholgera
2002-03-01
  • Forces loyal to Abdul Rashid Dostum have captured Sholgera district in northern Balkh province. The district, about 60 kilometres (35 miles) south of Mazar-i-Sharif, has seen frequent clashes in recent weeks between Dostum's forces and fighters loyal to commander Atta Mohammad. Dostum's forces used tanks to capture Sholgera. There was no immediate estimate on the number of casualties.

    Mohammad had tried unsuccessfully to capture the district through negotiations. Mohammad, whose Jamiat-i-Islami faction is aligned with former president Burhanuddin Rabbani, still has control over the Takhar, Kunduz and Baghlan provinces. Dostum's forces control the Samangan, Jozjan and Faryab provinces.
    This is either going to start shaking out the warlord balance of power, or it's going to lead to a new dog-eat-dog. If it's the former, it may be a good thing. If it's the latter, the US might as well just walk away and come back in 10 years to watch the last Afghan shoot the second-last Afghan.
    • Posted by:Fred Pruitt

    00:00