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AFGHANISTAN: MAZAR-E-SHARIF: MILITARY DISPLAY

(30 Apr 1997) Natural Sound One of the Afghan factions battling with the Taliban religious army has put on a massive show of military force in its northern stronghold. In scenes eerily reminiscent of old Soviet-style May Day parades -- although on a much smaller scale -- tanks, Scud missiles and well-drilled troops were paraded on Monday through Mazar-e-Sharif, stronghold of northern warlord Rashid Dostum. The Taliban, who now control about two-thirds of Afghanistan, are expected to launch a spring offensive soon against Dostum and his ally, Ahmed Shah Massood. Mazar-e-Sharif -- stronghold of Uzbek warlord Rashid Dostum, leader of one of two factions in Afghanistan battling the religious army of the Taliban. The Taliban presently control about two-thirds of the country -- and are widely expected to soon launch a spring offensive against Dostum, and his ally to the south, Ahmed Shah Massood. Dostum has more than 60,000 troops under his command. In this show of military might -- looking like a small-scale Soviet May Day parade -- they appear well-drilled and well armed. His armoury includes two medium-range Scud missiles, as well as other rockets. Fighting in recent weeks has picked up in western Afghanistan as the Taliban battles the opposing coalition on at least three fronts. That's created thousands of refugees. Dostum and Massood -- and many Afghanis -- are bitterly opposed to the Taliban's attempts to impose strict Islamic law on all of the country they control. Dostum's even got a small air-force -- as well as these helicopter gunships there are some 40 jet fighters and cargo planes working. The continuing turmoil in Afghanistan is a constant worry to its neighbours. The Taliban's opponents claim the religious army is armed and paid by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Other reports say the tanks like these are being supplied to the anti-Taliban coalition by Russia -- although Moscow strongly denies that -- and that Iran's sending money to Dostum and Massood. But Russia has expressed fears that any further Taliban victories might cause more unrest in the volatile central Asian region of the former Soviet Union. All of Afghanistan -- and its neighbours will be keeping a nervous eye on any new fighting there. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...