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CNN Live Saturday

Northern Alliance's Attacks on Mazar-e-Sharif Thwarted by Taliban Forces

Aired October 27, 2001 - 16:11   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BOB FRANKEN, CNN ANCHOR: After three weeks, the Taliban remains firm (AUDIO GAP) Afghanistan. And the opposing Northern Alliance has little to show for U.S. aerial support. And that's particularly true in the northeastern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, where we find CNN's Satinder Bindra, who's been reporting from the region.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For more than two weeks Northern Alliance forces have been pressing hard to capture the strategic northern town of Mazar-e-Sharif. So far, all of their attacks have been repulsed.

Local Taliban officials even claimed five Northern Alliance commanders had been captured and hanged. Those claims were denied within hours by a senior Taliban minister. While not confirming or denying those reports the Northern Alliance said earlier this week its forces killed 35 Taliban fighters and captured another 140.

It's impossible to independently verify claims from either side. What is clear though is the fighting in the north seems to be veering towards a stalemate.

On many northern battle fronts, it's evident Alliance forces are poorly equipped and commanders admit they may not be able to make much headway against entrenched Taliban forces until Russia delivers on a promise to provide 40 tanks pulled out of storage and 100 armored vehicles.

BURHANNUDDIN RABBANI, PRESIDENT OF AFGHANISTAN (through translator): Well, Afghanistan has a history of a long war with the Soviet Union. But today, we are clearly no longer dealing with the Soviet Union. Now we are dealing with the Russian Federation, and their politics clearly differ from that of the Soviet Union.

BINDRA: Reports from Moscow indicate Russia could deliver up to $45 million worth of hardware perhaps by the end of the year. Northern Alliance commanders say the tanks will definitely boost morale an increase their military capability.

But with winter setting in and many mountain passes expected to close soon, the tanks, if they're delivered, may not be able to make it to the Kabul front until next spring. Regardless of the arrival of Russian armor, the Alliance says the fighting will go on -- perhaps even during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

RABBANI (through translator): As I mentioned, traditionally the Taliban have not refrained from unleashing terror on people for any religious circumstance or holiday. So, of course, if there are going to be any attacks we will do everything to defend our people.

BINDRA: In the weeks ahead, the Northern Alliance wants the United States to keep up a punishing barrage of air strikes but it hopes this bombing is better coordinated with Northern Alliance commanders on the ground and directed with pinpoint accuracy against front line Taliban positions.

Satinder Bindra, CNN, Khoja Bahawuddin, northeastern Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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