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Afghan Key City Could Soon Fall
Anti-Taliban forces said Tuesday that they were on the verge of capturing the key northern city of Mazar-e Sharif, which controls a vital airfield that could serve U.S. helicopters in any future ground action. The Pentagon, which said U.S. forces pounded Taliban troops in the area Monday, confirmed that the city could fall at any time.
In Washington, Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold said Northern Alliance forces were at the edge of the airfield about 6 miles from the city. He said the fall of Mazar-e Sharif would be a "significant setback" for Taliban forces because it is a key crossroads for resupplying its troops. The airport is viewed by U.S. officials as an excellent spot for a refueling base for U.S. helicopters.
If the city should fall, it would be the first large city won from the Taliban since the United States began its air attacks Oct. 7.
U.S. military forces are trying to break the back of the Taliban regime that has given refuge to the al-Qa'eda terrorist network of Osama bin Laden.
The capture of Mazar-e Sharif would also help solidify Northern Alliance control of the north before winter sets in. Alliance foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah said local Taliban commanders there and in other regions were discussing terms for switching sides.
Abdullah said U.S. airstrikes have hurt the Taliban far more severely than it admits. He said it is unable to fly its planes, can't communicate fully with its troops, and can't resupply many of its forces.
Alliance forces have already blocked the main road leading from the capital Kabul to the north. The only other road useful for military supplies runs south and west from Kabul toward Kandahar before turning and sweeping clockwise toward the north.
But Northern Alliance fighters reportedly have also seized the key town of Gareh-ye-Now and taken control of the province of Ghowr, making it difficult for Taliban supply lines to take even the laborious route.
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