Tue, Apr 28, 1992
On this broadcast, reporter Terry Phillips covers Mujahideen forces in Kabul, Afghanistan. The current phase of the civil war began in 1989 after Red Army troops withdrew across the border back into the USSR. In this report, Afghan rebels have officially taken over the government by defeating the Moscow-supported regime of Mohammad Najibulla. Anchorman Dan Rather (who had reported from Afghanistan himself during the Soviet invasion) notes that fierce fighting continued. Phillips observes that a new coalition government is forming led by Sibghatulla Mojaddedi. A convoy of heavily armed rebel troops has accompanied the new strongman arrival into the capital city. We see Mujahideen warriors firing their automatic weapons into the air to celebrate their victory over the former communist dictator. He has reportedly holed up inside the United Nations compound. Meanwhile, rival factions continue to vie for power. Early that morning, the airport was shelled. Heavy artillery thundered in the hills throughout Kabul. Phillips reports that although some shops have reopened for business, most people are staying off the streets.