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American Morning

Military Pressure Continues to Build on Kandahar

Aired December 03, 2001 - 08:04   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.
PAULA ZAHN, CNN ANCHOR: Back to the issue of what is going on, on the ground, in southern Afghanistan now. U.S. forces in that area are strongly suggesting an assault on Kandahar may be around the corner. But Kandahar is in the heart of Taliban territory, and taking that city might be difficult.

Nic Robertson is standing by, monitoring events from Chaman, Pakistan, along Afghanistan's southern border -- Nic, any indications that any more movement might come today?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Paula, certainly a lot of indications that Kandahar really is coming under extreme military pressure. Our sources there tell us that two key bridges, one to the north of Kandahar City and one to the east, have been destroyed. They say that leaves only one bridge allowing people to come and go easily from Kandahar City.

They also say there's been intense bombing, mostly focused on the airport on the outskirts of the city.

Now, they say villages close to the airport say that they've heard artillery fire and small-arms machine gun fire and large machine gun fire in that area. Those villages also say they believe that anti-Taliban forces have moved into part of that airport complex at Kandahar City. However, these claims are very, very difficult to verify at this time.

What we do know is, late yesterday, anti-Taliban commanders, we contacted by satellite telephone, told us they were about to launch an offensive on the Kandahar Airport. We have not been able reach those commanders today, but that does appear to be an indication that Kandahar Airport is coming under extreme pressure there.

We've also heard from Taliban commanders in the town of Spin Boldak, just across the border from here. Now, they tell us that they are beginning to feel a decreasing level of support in the population there for their rule. And people in Kandahar City are telling us that the situation there is very, very tense, and they are beginning now to expect an attack on the city at any time -- Paula.

ZAHN: Nic, when you talk with these Taliban leaders, what percentage of what they tell you is the truth?

ROBERTSON: Very, very difficult to judge. I think what we've been able to hear, and what we've been able to judge by their words and then their actions in the past, is they often appear to talk a good game. Morale is high, they're ready to fight, they'll dig in and fight to the last man. We saw in Mazar-e-Sharif in the north that was not the case. In Konduz, some fighters held it out.

When we talked to one commander just across the border here about a week-and-a-half ago, he was talking the same good game. He drove us on a night patrol. He showed us his fighters. He said, "We're here to fight, we'll fight to the last man."

Well, a few days ago, he left. Pakistani officials now tell us they believe he's living inside Pakistan. So perhaps we shouldn't believe all we hear, but certainly indications that some hardliners will fight it out -- Paula.

ZAHN: I guess we shouldn't be all -- surprised at all by that changeover -- Nic Robertson, thank you very much for that update.

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