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| Afghanistan |
| Northern Alliance agrees to delay offensive |
| 2001-10-10 |
JABAL SARAJ, Afghanistan, Oct. 10 -- Afghan opposition forces said they have agreed to delay a crucial offensive to take control of Kabul until an interim government can be established to replace the ruling Taliban regime, a decision that could prolong military action in Afghanistan for weeks. The commanders of the Northern Alliance postponed an assault on the capital after negotiations with U.S. and international officials who fear chaos and bloodshed if rebel warlords seize the city before a functioning government or security forces are in place. In a bid to forestall any advance by the rebels into Kabul, the United States and Britain are holding off aerial bombardments against the thousands of Taliban and Arab troops arrayed in defensive lines on the plains north of the capital. Instead, the U.S. and British warplanes and missiles are attacking airfields, artillery batteries and other targets to assist the Northern Alliance in capturing key northern and eastern Afghan cities. |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |