| Afghan opposition commanders said they would launch an offensive Thursday to capture Mazar-i-Sharif. "Our troops are positioned eight km (five miles) from Mazar-i-Sharif airport to the southeast and 50 km (30 miles) to the southwest," said Ashraf Nadeem, spokesman for the Northern Alliance opposition. Trucks and cars loaded with Taliban were reported heading to the north "day and night" to oppose the offensive. Both sides reporting intense fighting in the area as the day progressed. |