Northern Alliance Calls For U.S. Ground Troops
U.S. Jets Resume Bombing Raids

POSTED: 7:52 a.m. EDT October 25, 2001
UPDATED: 10:09 a.m. EDT October 25, 2001

Those opposed to the Taliban in Afghanistan are asking the United States to introduce ground troops into the area.

A northern alliance leader said that if the United States wants to "finish off" terrorism, then it should send in troops to take on the Taliban.

The request comes as the United States has carried out five straight days of bombing to help the anti-Taliban forces. The leader of a small band of opposition fighters near the capital city of Kabul predicts an easy victory if American GIs join the fight.

He said, "This should be quick."

Meantime, an opposition spokesman said that northern alliance forces have taken control of a village on the outskirts of the key northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif.

U.S. jets were doing more Thursday to help opposition forces fighting the Taliban rulers in Afghanistan.

Jets have resumed bombing raids over the front lines north of Kabul Thursday, roaring through the skies over positions held by Northern Alliance fighters.

It's the fifth straight day of bombing in the region, after an unprecedented day of heavy U.S. strikes.

The Taliban and residents said that U.S. attacks on the Taliban's southern stronghold of Kandahar hit a bus, killing at least 10 civilians.

Bombing Thursday on Kandahar lasted into the day, while overnight attacks elsewhere struck targets around the strategic northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, where opposition forces are also trying to close in on the Taliban.