Afghan national army dispatched to control factional fighting

KABUL (AFP) Jun 21, 2004
The Afghan government is to send up to 700 troops from the new Afghan National Army to the northwest province of Ghor to quell factional unrest after hundreds of troops loyal to regional commanders overran Ghor's capital last week and forced the Kabul-appointed governor to flee.

It is the third time since March that the US-backed government of President Hamid Karzai has sent soldiers to control factional tensions in northern Afghanistan.

In addition to regular deployments to the northern regions, hundreds of troops have been sent to Herat and Faryab provinces in the past three months following unrest.

The National Security Council said in a statement the 600 to 700 troops dispatched to Ghor would also assist with the local implementation of a countrywide program to disarm tens of thousands of militiamen.

"The DDR (Disarmament, Demoblization and Re-Integration) process should be implemented in Ghor province," the statement said.

Governor Ibrahim Malikzada had briefed the government in Kabul on the situation and was now returning to Ghor, it added.

Taj Mohammad Wardak, an advisor to Karzai, will head a delegation to assess security in Ghor, it said.

The decision to send troops comes after heavy fighting between rival warlords erupted in Ghor, some 360 kilometers (223 miles) west of Kabul, and left some five people dead.

WAR.WIRE