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Afghan Rebels Take Key Town
Monday, September 24, 2001
By Keith Dovkants in Islamabad and Paul Cheston

Afghan fighters opposing the Taliban said today that they had made important advances in their military push against the regime.

The rebel forces are reported to have captured the town of Zari Bazar, 60 miles south of the strategically important city of Mazar-i-Sharif.

The opposition Northern Alliance and the forces of independent General Rashid Dostum said they hoped to take the city in the next few days. The alliance has been engaged in a long-running war against the Taliban and has seized the opportunity to strike as the military buildup by America and Britain continues.

Opponents of the Taliban have launched new attacks in three northern provinces and taken at least one district from the Taliban. Meanwhile, the Taliban's defence minister Mullah Obaidullah claimed today that 300,000 men were being mobilised for war. He said the men were "well-experienced and equipped and have been stationed in the centre of the country, at borders and other areas in addition to its former detachments".
(More: Associated Newspapers Ltd News Source)
© Associated Newspapers Ltd., 24 September 2001

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