For Pakistan and Iran, Dostum's authority promises stable trade links to Central Asia, where he is seen as insurance against the threat of Islamic fundamentalism.

[citation needed] President Rabbani, whose extended term expired at the end of December, offers to relinquish power if an acceptable replacement could be found.

Hekmatyar has been bombarding Kabul in an effort to drive Rabbani from office, but when he is forced to flee, he abandons large stocks of heavy weapons and aircraft.

Taliban forces then attack Rabbani's troops, but this time the students are unable to hold positions directly threatening Kabul.

[citation needed] Taliban militias overrun the Herat area, where Ismail Khan, a close ally of Rabbani, had achieved a degree of normality; he escapes to Iran.