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CNN Live Sunday

Northern Alliance Reports Ceasing Several Strategic Cities

Aired November 11, 2001 - 17:02   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.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: The Northern Alliance says it has handed down the Taliban a dramatic defeat. Today, opposition forces report that they have ceased control of several strategic cities in Afghanistan. These claims cannot be, however, independently verified. Before the bombing campaign, the Northern Alliance controlled only a small northeastern corner of Afghanistan, as you can see by this graphic. Well, now it has taken a great deal of Taliban- controlled territory north of the capital of Kabul.

Despite reports of major advances, Taliban forces are putting up quite a fight.

And CNN's Ben Wedeman reports from the front lines now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The guns didn't go silent Sunday outside Dhashdikala (ph), where the Northern Alliance is trying to outflank Taliban forces and drive them out of the north. Gunners exchanged fire throughout the day.

A Northern Alliance spotter directs the bombardment of Taliban positions in the valley below, but their enemy was able to fire back.

(on camera): Following the fall of Mazar-e-Sharif, it's clear the Northern Alliance is trying to press its advantage. In some areas, it has made progress. But here, it's running into stiff resistance.

(voice-over): The day before, U.S. warplanes steadily bombed the Taliban in this area, but Alliance troops complain it did little weaken Taliban resolve.

This Alliance commander says the Taliban soldiers nearby aren't giving any ground. Mostly Arabs, Pakistanis and Chechens, over the radio they've warned they will die before they surrender. Hours later, the alliance claims they took positions and the Taliban fled.

These battle-hardened Alliance troops don't appear phased by Taliban bravado. After more than 20 years of fighting, war in Afghanistan has almost become a routine affair. The Alliance is sending its antiquated Soviet tanks to the front, one of the few signs of relative modernity one sees here. Heavily laden with weapons, these troops are set to take part in an offensive Alliance officials claim has already resulted in the capture of two key towns and central Afghanistan. These claims, however, cannot be independently verified.

What is clear, that the Alliance, after years of setbacks in its war against the Taliban, is gaining ground and momentum. Before going into battle, Alliance tank crews prayed for victory. For these soldiers, there's a feeling their prayers are finally being answered.

Ben Wedeman, CNN, outside Dhashdikala (ph), northern Afghanistan.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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