AFGHANISTAN: Soviet troops prepare to leave Afghanistan

Record ID: 863363

  • Title: AFGHANISTAN: Soviet troops prepare to leave Afghanistan
  • Date: 13th May 1988
  • Summary: GV Soviet plane dropping flares. SVs Soviet troops on tank driving through Kabul, Soviet soldiers walking in streets. (5 SHOTS) GVs & SV INTERIOR Injured from May 9 attack, including children in hospital. (5 SHOTS) GV Coffin being carried through streets - man killed on May 9 attack. SV & GV PAN Afghan praying in street. (3 SHOTS) SVs General street scenes, people and traffic. (4 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 28th May 1988 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: KABUL, AFGHANISTAN
  • City:
  • Country: Afghanistan
  • Topics: Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVACNFN45EL7ISKV7WPT49WJMBHT
  • Aspect Ratio:
  • Story Text: Soviet troops in tanks and armoured personnel carriers patrolled in Kabul on Friday and their officers said they were preparing the way for the first convoys which will start leaving Afghanistan on Sunday. The military said everything was being done to ensure the safe withdrawal of all Soviet soldiers.

    For Security reasons, Soviet officers and civilian officials said nothing about troop numbers, or when they will leave and from where. The Mujahideen Moslem rebels have vowed to fight until the last of the Soviet troops have left Afghanistan.

    Fresh in the minds of the Soviets is the May 9 rocket attack on Kabul in which at least 11 people were killed and 12 injured. The Soviet news agency Tass said the attack was made by 'enemies of national reconciliation' who fired 17 missiles on densely-populated parts of the city. It said most of the missiles fell on lawns between houses where children were playing. Kabul is usually relatively secure from attack by the Mujahideen who are seeking to overthrow Soviet-backed President Najibullah. Western diplomats believe the rebels, who hold positions in the mountains close to the capital, will try to demonstrate their strength again while the troops prepare to leave.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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