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| Afghanistan |
| 400 Taliban militia defect to Northern Alliance |
| 2001-09-26 |
| Times of India Nearly 400 Taliban soldiers, including some field commanders, have reportedly defected to the Northern Alliance, even as the ruling militiamen suffering heavy losses beat a hasty retreat. Russian media reports say the soldiers defected to the opposition Alliance, which holds 5-10 percent of Afghan territory, near Mazar-e-Sharif, known as the northern capital of Afghanistan. "The Taliban army is reported to be suffering heavy losses at the hands of Northern Alliance and retreating fast in panic without putting up a strong resistance," said the TV-6 correspondent from Afghanistan. Heavy fighting is on under the command of General Rashid Dostum near Mazar-e-Sharif, which has strategic importance. "It would be easier to take on Kabul after this town falls," say Russian military observers. General Fahim is getting ready for leading the battle to Kabul. Northern Alliance claims to exercise control over four provinces. Another unconfirmed report said the Taliban's airbase at Bagram, the main base in the country, has fallen to the Northern Alliance. More than 100 Taliban soldiers have been killed during the battle for Bagram, which was the main Soviet airbase in 1980s. Burhanuddin Rabbani, who heads the Afghan government-in-exile and supports the Northern Alliance, has called the Taliban to "lay down arms" and "promised them a peaceful life, if they do so." He has also started mobilising men in alliance-controlled areas to strengthen his army's striking power. Rabbani said no U.S. military operation will be conducted in northern Afghanistan without his coalition's permission. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |