The last pocket of al-Qaeda resistance at Tora Bora appeared to be crumbling as groups of al-Qaeda were captured or fled and others debated over two-way radios whether to surrender. Osama bin Laden's praetorian guard have been under relentless attack by U.S. warplanes and tribal forces of the eastern alliance. Top commander Haji Zahir said al-Qaida leaders told him they were ready to surrender, but after two surrender agreements fell through this week, he remained skeptical. "We won't accept conditions at all. We just want them to surrender. I told my forces to hold their positions, because I don't believe them," he said. Some al-Qaida could be heard debating a surrender over two-way radios. Alliance commander Mohammed Khan said a group of Arabs wanted to surrender but that a group of Chechen fighters was trying to persuade them not to do so. Earlier, two emissaries approached the front line to announce 300 men wanted to give up, but the men never emerged. While some al-Qaida tried to surrender, others fled. Three captured Arabs reported 50 al-Qaida leaders left on mules bound for the Pakistani border, only a few miles away. Another group of 60 Chechens was reported to have fled, leaving six wounded and many dead behind. Another group of 50 al Qaeda were reported to have surrendered.
Sounds like they're finally breaking up for real. That "Hey, we're gonna surrender" trick has stopped working. Wonder if it'll work even once in Somalia? |