Submit your comments on this article | |
Haqqani becomes Taliban deputy supremo | |
2004-02-21 | |
The remnants of the Taliban, forced out of power in Afghanistan in 2001, will stage a new wave of attacks against US-led coalition forces in the south and southeast of the country this spring, a man claiming to represent the fundamentalist militia told AFP on Friday. In an interview in the south-eastern city of Khost, the man, who has previously proved himself a credible source of information on the intentions of the militant group, also claimed that Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and the Taliban leader, Mullah Omar, were both alive and in Afghanistan. Bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman Al-Zawahiri âare alive and both are in Afghanistan, in different placesâ, Mohammed Saiful Adel told an AFP journalist in an interview in the city of Khost, close to the border with Pakistan.
âOn Thursday more than a 100 armed Taliban from Arghandab, Khak Afghan and Dai Chopan gathered in the mountains of Mazin,â Hashim, the townâs deputy governor, told AFP on Friday. Hashim said he went to the governor of Zabul province in the capital Qalat to discuss the situation but was told, âthereâs no big threatâ. However, there are only 70 or 80 troops guarding Mazin, making the town outnumbered by Taliban forces should they attack. âIf the Taliban attack us we can defend ourselves and call headquarters for support but we are not capable of attacking the Taliban,â Hashim said. The men responsible for the gathering are believed to be Mullah Qahar and Mullah Ghafar, well-known Taliban commanders in the region. | |
Posted by:Dan Darling |
#3 Seems like there's lots of vacancies in the upper levels of Taliban management. Wonder why? |
Posted by: Mike 2004-2-21 9:59:48 AM |
#2 Ben - Absolutely. TALIBAN: "Hi Infidel, we're massed here to fight back against your Spring Offensive." B-52 BOMB/NAV: "Weapons away. What's for lunch?" Mike |
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski 2004-2-21 9:55:20 AM |
#1 Wait one. I thought we were going to launch a spring offensive. What gives? |
Posted by: Ben 2004-2-21 9:38:56 AM |