Selected hems From the
National
Intelligence
Daily
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Monday,5
cory : 2
AFGHANISTAN:
Kabul al Risk
government faces challenges from opposition forces in the next several weeks that could tlireaten its survival. Its loss to Taliban ofwhich it has relied for ammunition and fuel in previousits military capabilities, and it now confronts the potential for opposition offensives from the west, north, and east.
- Taliban says President Rabbani musl resign orwill storm the city
Despite Us isolation, Kabul appears adequately positioned to weather the coming attacks. De faelo Defense Minister Masood, Afghanislan's mosi capable military leader, has commanded Iroops in the city since Ihe fall of the Soviet-backed regimend his forces have repelled severaloordinated attack by Taliban, Dostam, and Hikmaiyar probably would overwhelm hi* defenses, but the prospects for such cooperation are remote.
Hikmatyar's forces are loo far from Kabul lo aid aTaliban anack on short notice.!-
Even if Kabul fends off Taliban, it faces the prospects of starvation during the winter. Il depends on overland access routes to stockpile fuel and food each winter, and opposition forces now control all major routes to ihe city.
Shortages may be worse lhan last year because comparatively secure conditions during the summer encouraged an influx of
Aircraft have supplied Kabul in past winters, bul Dostam's threat to shoot down aircraft that enter Afghan airspace without his authorization will discourage flights. Kabul is opening two alternative air routes over government-controlled areas in Ihc
Original document.
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