For the second time in two weeks President Hamid Karzai is sending newly trained Afghan National Army troops from the capital to quell fighting in outlying regions, this time in northern Afghanistan, government officials said. Heavy fighting broke out today as an Uzbek warlord's militia advanced on Maimana, the provincial capital of the northern province of Faryab, forcing the local governor to appeal for support from the central government. The government ordered a battalion of 750 men to prepare to fly to Maimana on Thursday, said Gen. Mir Jan, a spokesman for the Defense Ministry. A senior government delegation, led by the deputy chief of staff and a presidential adviser, left for the region today, he said. The militia loyal to the warlord, Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum, are fighting forces loyal to Gen. Hashim Habibi, who recently refused orders from General Dostum and declared his allegiance to the local governor and the central government. General Jan said that the militia forces attacked in four different areas, suggesting a coordinated operation.
| Or four sub-warlords who won't work together. |
General Dostum's forces had seized control of several towns in the north of the province and were advancing on Maimana, the local intelligence chief, Homayoun Aini, said in a telephone interview. He said the militia forces had captured Juma Bazaar, a suburb just 12 miles from the center of the provincial capital, and two other districts to the north. "Fighting is still going on in two areas," he said. "Government soldiers and supporters have fled in disarray." There were no immediate reports of casualties, but government officials said there were bound to be some.
| I dunno, Hek's boys can't hit the broad side of a barn, are these guys any better? |
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