Freedoms Promised To Afghan Women,
Rejoicing Reported In Liberated City

POSTED: 9:12 a.m. EST November 10, 2001
UPDATED: 4:47 p.m. EST November 10, 2001

Leaders of the opposition to the Taliban said there's rejoicing in Mazar-e-Sharif now that the Taliban have been driven out of the Afghan city.

A representative of the northern alliance also said women will no longer be forced to wear veils, and the university will now welcome female students.

The alliance is also inviting foreign doctors of both sexes to the city.

The northern alliance representative said residents are gathering at mosques and sacrificing sheep to celebrate the Taliban's defeat.

He said the first priority now will be to restore electricity and gas.

The taking of Mazar-e-Sharif is a key victory for the northern alliance. It leaves the alliance in control of the areas bordering Uzbekistan, which could open supply routes to its fighters.

American warplanes are also pressing the offensive in Afghanistan.

B-52s are in action Saturday north of Kabul. Towering plumes of smoke are rising from front-line positions north of the capital as anti-Taliban forces and civilians welcome news of the fall of Mazar-e-Sharif. Villagers have been crowding around transistor radios to get the latest news.

An opposition official in neighboring Uzbekistan said the alliance troops were greeted warmly by the people of Mazar-e-Sharif. He said residents are giving them food and information.