1.   There were conflicting claims about the number of army and rebel casualties following a renewed government offensive against the northern strongholds of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

2.   Although the Taliban has surrendered in its northern strongholds of Taloqan and Kunduz, its former fighters have not been disarmed.

3.   Hundreds of prisoners were killed after a rebellion this week in the northern stronghold of Mazar-e-Sharif.

4.   This is the Salang Tunnel, straddling the principal route between the northern Afghan stronghold of Mazar-e-Sharif and the capital, Kabul.

5.   Opposition says Taliban retreats from northern stronghold.

6.   Rebel leaders have appealed for reinforcements to defend their northern stronghold against thousands of advancing soldiers.

7.   Rebels in war-ruined Sierra Leone are boycotting a crucial disarmament program in their northern stronghold, a U.N. spokeswoman said Thursday.

8.   Pol Pot reportedly fled his northern stronghold of Anlong Veng last week with a small band of loyalists.

9.   A party official said they would formally transfer their northern stronghold, Anlong Veng, to the government in a few days.

10.   A spokesman for Massood, contacted by telephone at his northern stronghold, confirmed that the opposition coalition had ordered the guerrilla attacks and promised they would continue.