Opposition forces withdrew from Kandahar airport late Tuesday as United States warplanes continued to pound Taliban positions within the key complex in their last remaining stronghold. As the anti-Taliban troops waited for the US to soften up their target on the outskirts of Kandahar, a spokesman for leading opposition figure Hamid Karzai claimed his forces had taken a town just 15 kms from the city.
The anti-Taliban forces claimed to have captured half of the airport on the outskirts of Kandahar city Monday night but then encountered fierce resistance from the militia.
“We pulled our boys out on the advice of the Americans as they were bombing Taliban who were so close to us,” the source, who is close to former Kandahar governor Gul Agha said.
“Their bombing could have injured our fighters.” The troops retreated to Uruzgan bridge, about two kms from the airport, the source added.
Another source had earlier said that the bid to take the airport had been stalled after heavy fighting Monday and the anti-Taliban forces had decided to cement their existing positions. No fighting between opposition forces and Taliban troops had taken place Tuesday, he added.
Ahmad Karzai, the brother of anti-Taliban tribal elder Hamid Karzai, meanwhile claimed that his forces had captured Shah Wali Kot some 15 kms north of Kandahar city. “We are very close to Kandahar. Soon we will be able to advance from the north and Gul Agha`s people will advance from the east, he said.

Bureau Report