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Kabul's Poorest Have No Escape from U.S. Bombs
Monday, October 15, 2001
IslamOnline & News Agencies

"We used to live in Bi Bi Mahro area ... This is the fifth time I have moved between our home and our cousins' home."

KABUL, Pakistan
Only the poorest of the poor in the desperately impoverished Afghan capital remained in the city Sunday as constant U.S. air raids spread fear and panic among a normally stoic people.

"Believe me, whenever there's a raid my children start crying. Last night, even I cried with them," Mohammad Nabi, 41, an auto spare parts salesman in the Qwaee Markaz area of Kabul, was quoted by Agence France-Presse (AFP) as saying.

"When women and children scream in the middle of the night, that is terrifying enough in itself."

As U.S. jets buzzed overhead night and day, whether on bombing runs or surveillance missions to identify fresh targets, those who could not afford to leave were trying to find shelter wherever they could.

Shopkeepers have moved their stocks to the countryside or boarded up their windows.

"We fear our goods could be looted if there is anarchy," said one merchant who did not want to be named.
(More: Islam Online News Source)
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Dan