US Clears Way For Opposition Force

KABUL - US warplanes struck Taliban positions in northern Afghanistan on Monday, hoping to pave the way for a renewed push by opposition forces toward the key city of Mazar-i-Sharif. Opposition officials and the Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) reported strikes in Balkh and Samangan provinces not far from where the Taliban and rebel Northern Alliance troops were locked in battle for a strategic district. Little movement was reported around Aq-Kupruk district, 70km south of Mazar-i-Sharif, which the opposition claimed to have taken on Saturday only to have the Taliban later reclaim a portion. If the opposition can hold Aq-Kupruk it would mark their first significant advance towards Mazar-i-Sharif — potentially a crucial supply and staging point — since US forces began bombing Afghanistan nearly a month ago. The northern area is one of three targeted by the Americans in their drive to topple the Taliban. US B-52 bombers and strike aircraft have been pounding Taliban positions in northeastern Afghanistan where the Northern Alliance are fighting for control of supply routes into Tajikistan ahead of winter. AFP Ends