-
In 1998, 11 Iranians, among them nine diplomats, died when the Taliban captured the town of Mazar-I-Sharif from opposition forces led by Ahmad Shah Masoud.
ECONOMIST: The Taliban��s useful neighbour
-
The commander of the opposition alliance, Ahmad Shah Masoud, is a doughty fighter, but he has been forced back to the mountainous north-east of the country, where he relies on tenuous supply lines.
ECONOMIST: Afghanistan
-
First, they underestimated the strength of General Dostam's one-time ally, Ahmad Shah Masoud, who continues to hold out in the mountains and high passes of the Panjshir Valley, in the east of the country.
ECONOMIST: The battle for Afghanistan
-
The Taliban, who control almost 90% of the country, are said to be preparing for a big offensive against forces loyal to Ahmad Shah Masoud, who controls the north-eastern provinces and the strategic Panjshir valley.
ECONOMIST: Afghanistan