| Sunday, November 11, 2001, updated at 22:00(GMT+8) |
Afghan Opposition Claims Capital of Badghis Province |
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A spokesman for the Afghan opposition commander Ismail Khan said that their forces on Sunday captured Qala-e-Now, capital city of northwest Badghis province, according to the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).
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A spokesman for the Afghan opposition commander Ismail Khan said that their forces on Sunday captured Qala-e-Now, capital city of northwest Badghis province, according to the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).
The spokesman named Mohammedullah Afzali told AIP by phone that their forces arrested the Taliban governor of Badghis and 40 of his followers after taking the city without a fight.
He said the opposition forces are now launching a major offensive on the city of Herat, center of the Herat province, which is expected to be taken by the opposition till Monday.
According to early reports by the AIP, Afghan Taliban militia confirmed on Sunday that their forces have withdrawn from some key areas in northern Afghanistan under an order by the Taliban leadership.
These areas include Aybak, Shabarghan and Sere-Pol, capital cities of Samangan, Jazjan and Sere-Pol provinces.
"We abandoned these areas under an order by the government and now we are regrouping our forces," the AIP quoted a Taliban spokesman as saying.
The Taliban spokesman rejected opposition's claim of capturing northern Afghan province of Fariab, saying the province is so far under the control of the Taliban forces.
The Afghan opposition Northern Alliance launched a series of offensives Sunday morning on the Taliban front lines in Khaurjaghar, Chal, Tangi Farkhar and Eshkamish districts of Takhar province after severe U.S. bombardment on the areas, which were repulsed by the Taliban forces.
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