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CNN Saturday Morning News

Details Involving Opposition Capture of Mazar-e Sharif are Scarce

Aired November 10, 2001 - 10:10   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: The reported capture of Mazar-e Sharif in northern Afghanistan by opposition forces could give the U.S. a launch pad in the country for military operations. And it could make possible a so-called land bridge to Uzbekistan, a logistical lifeline.

CNN's Ben Wedeman is in Dashtiqala, Afghanistan, north of Mazar-e Sharif, and he's got the latest for us -- Ben.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kyra, the Northern Alliance appears to be still holding Mazar-e Sharif, a very important town, as you mentioned, controlling the trade routes between Uzbekistan and Kabul. Now it appears, however, that the Northern Alliance now, in addition to trying to hold Mazar-e Sharif, is also beginning what appears to be an offensive in this area, which is about a 110 kilometers east of Mazar-e Sharif.

Throughout the day we saw fairly intense bombardments by the Northern Alliance using rockets, artillery, as well as tanks to pound the Taliban positions, which are about four to five kilometers from here. Also, throughout the day B-52 bombers were bombing Taliban positions, and fighters were also engaged in the military activity as well.

According to our information from a senior Northern Alliance commander, as many as 70 tanks could be involved in this offensive. Of course, we cannot verify those numbers. But what we can verify is that apparently there have been casualties among the Northern Alliance in the activities today. One commander apparently killed, and a CNN crew was able to see five of the Northern Alliance soldiers who were also wounded, apparently, by land mines, which are quite common near the front-line here.

Also, the Taliban were firing back in this direction. They apparently hit a civilian home, killing one person and wounding several others -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Ben, I know you're in Dashtiqala. If you could sort of give me an idea of how close that is to Mazar-e Sharif. And my other question to you is: The Taliban says that they are backing off for strategic reasons. Do you believe that, or do they think they are just completely overwhelmed by the forces? WEDEMAN: It's very difficult to say what the motivations were behind their moves. Clearly, given that the Northern Alliance was able to take the city in so brief a time, that would indicate that they basically were cutting their loses, regrouping to a more easily defensible area. And of course, the Northern Alliance, which has made many claims in the past, is claiming hundreds of prisoners and hundreds of defectors. But to the best of my knowledge, nobody has seen these individuals.

So it's very difficult to assess the motivations, the conditions and the reasons for the Taliban leaving the city and regrouping elsewhere -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Ben Wedeman, thank you so much -- Martin.

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