The World - News from May 5, 1989

An Afghan militia commander who played a key role in defending a provincial capital defected to rebel forces in Afghanistan last week with about 300 fighters and many weapons, a Western diplomat said in Islamabad, Pakistan. He said the commander, named Obaidullah, defected to the rebels in southwestern Helmand province, after having been instrumental in the government’s defense of its capital, Lahkargah. The diplomat also said that the winter’s heavy snows have begun to melt, allowing the U.S.-backed guerrillas to increase their activity.