| Submit your comments on this article |
| Afghanistan |
| Dostum wants US ground forces |
| 2001-10-27 |
The opposition forces expected to do the major fighting against the Taliban on the ground in northern Afghanistan are tired, hungry, poorly clothed, ill-equipped and eager to stop fighting during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, according to guerrilla commanders in Afghanistan, their representatives in Tashkent and former fighters from their outfits. The opposition commanders, whose disparate coalition of forces is known as the Northern Alliance, publicly insist they are in high spirits and are preparing to make another push to capture the key northern city of Mazar-e Sharif. But they acknowledged in interviews that they are hampered by meager supplies and cannot break through Taliban lines, despite the bombing by U.S. planes. "We want people from America to help fight," said a commander with the forces of Gen. Abdurrashid Dostum. "Bombs by America are not enough now. We need soldiers, specialists, to fight." |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |