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Commanders Battle in North Afghanistan

Rivalry It appears to be a fight for territory between chiefs from the two main factions

Saturday, September 28, 2002
Various News Agencies

Reuters reported that during the latest fighting, a commander loyal to Muhammad seized control of three villages from a commander loyal to Dostum. The two generals made a public commitment recently to suppress any fighting by sending a joint force to disarm the commanders involved.

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan -- Source
Fighting has broken out between rival commanders in a mountainous area in northern Afghanistan, just weeks after the main factions agreed to disarm their men and prevent further clashes.

The fighting, which started Wednesday and lasted more than 24 hours, occurred in the remote mountains of Dar-e-Suf, about 60 miles south of Mazar-e-Sharif, the main northern city.

It appeared to be a battle for territory between commanders from the two main rival factions in the north. Seventeen people were killed, Reuters reported, quoting a traveler who arrived from the area Friday.

But security officials in Mazar-e-Sharif played down the clash, saying it was a local dispute, and denied reports of any casualties.
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Dan