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Notes On The War
The emphasis in the war is on information; primarily who is working with the
Taliban and bin Laden and where they are (or where they tend to go). Up to a
hundred warplanes (including some electronic warfare, tanker and recon aircraft)
hit Afghanistan today, mainly going after targets suspected to be Taliban or
terrorist units, equipment or facilities. For the first time, helicopter
gunships were seen attacking targets in Kabul. There was very little
anti-aircraft fire, indicating that the Taliban were low on ammo, anti-aircraft
guns, or both. The gunships can operate at night and in bad weather and carry
Hellfire for pinpoint attacks on buildings or vehicles (as the Israelis have
used them to kill terrorists driving along roads or sitting inside
buildings.)
The war of words is also showing progress. Weeks of talks with Afghan leaders
in Pakistani refugee camps has moved into Afghanistan itself. Secretary of State
Powell showed how far this was going when he announced last week (several times)
that there was a place for moderate Taliban groups in a new government. These
Taliban moderates are Pushtun tribes and towns that do not agree with everything
the hard line Taliban (who have increasingly monopolized power) have done. Money
and humanitarian aid play a large role in the talks, as do assurances that the
bin Laden organization (which dominates the Taliban leadership) will be taken
out. Several Taliban leaders have switched sides, and brought thousands of armed
men with them. This trend is expected to continue, especially as the US delivers
more food and other goodies.
The US ranger raid outside Kandahar yesterday was going after an airbase and
a command center (also used as one of Taliban leader Mohammed Omar's homes.)
The command center was largely empty, but some documents were taken, weapons
destroyed and some Taliban soldiers killed. The rangers had a video crew along
to record the event. The rangers parachuted in, and were picked up by helicopter
to get out.
In the north, the fighting around Mazar-i-Sharif has increased. The Taliban
have some of their best troops there, including portions of the bin Laden
controlled 55th brigade. Many Taliban trucks and armored vehicles are in the
area, making it a prime target for air strikes. Some 5-10,000 Taliban troops
face over 10,000 Northern Alliance fighters. Defections from the Taliban to the
Northern Alliance continue. The Afghan style of fighting does not stress big,
head on attacks and high casualties. The Northern Alliance is waiting on US
warplanes to bomb the Taliban hard enough so that the Northern Alliance can move
into the city and it's airport with minimal casualties.
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