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CNN Live At Daybreak

Opposition Forces Claim They're Gaining Ground on Taliban Stronghold

Aired November 06, 2001 - 06:30   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.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: More now on the fighting in Afghanistan. Opposition forces are claiming they're gaining ground on what's been a Taliban stronghold. We're talking about the city to the north Mazar-e-Sharif and that comes after U.S. warplanes pummeled that area with intensive bombing.

More now from CNN's Satinder Bindra.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SATINDER BINDRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: One day after the fiercest U.S. airstrikes in this area signs the united front is training and preparing for an attack. These rookies are getting a crash course in fighting a ground war. Many of these soldiers have never ridden in an armored personnel carrier before, so a battle scarred veteran teaches them how to get into, out of, and fire from these Russian built carriers. Waiting their turn, their youthful energy standing out some very young and ill equipped soldiers, none old enough to sport beards, but willing to do a man's work and die in war.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Now we have an advantage because U.S. planes destroyed the Taliban's stronghold. Their ground troops are demoralized and we will be able to push back Taliban troops.

BINDRA: For all such talk, the situation along the frontlines with World War I style trenches remains the same. From these united front trenches, it's possible to see artillery strikes against Taliban positions about a mile away. Since U.S. planes first started bombing Taliban frontlines in this sector about eight days ago, soldiers here say some of their guns have fallen silent.

But the united front commanders the Taliban aren't leaving. They're busy reinforcing their defenses and preparing for a ground attack from this side. Commanders here believe about 5,000 crack Taliban troops, most of them Arabs, have dug in along these frontlines.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): These people are feared fighters and have been expelled from their own countries, so they will fight to death.

BINDRA: As wave upon wave of U.S. planes have bombed Taliban positions, those fighters say united front troops have suffered casualties. These anti Taliban troops say they want to liberate their country from the terror of the Taliban.

As the sun sets across this breathtaking landscape, some united front soldiers take advantage of the dark to jump out of their trenches and test their enemies resolve. It's another sign of full skilled ground offensive may be just around the corner.

Satinder Bindra, CNN, (INAUDIBLE) Hills, northeastern Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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