The US sent more forces into Afghanistan to support the opposition Northern Alliance as American warplanes on Monday pounded Taliban positions near Kabul and the frontlines to the north with the militia claiming that at least 20 civilians were killed in the raids. US jets dropped bombs on Taliban's southern stronghold of Kandahar and near Mazar-e-Sharif, where the militia forces were engaged in fighting off the Opposition to prevent them from regaining control of the key town. To aid the Northern Alliance, more US special forces entered Afghanistan in the last few days, chairman of US joint chiefs of staff Gen Richard Myers said. He said that while Taliban remained a substantial force, the US-led campaign has put them on their heels by degrading their military capability. Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) quoted Taliban officials as saying that at lendm 20 civilians were killed in new US raids in Afghanistan. One raid targeted Keshendeh district, about 80 km south of Mazar-e-Sharif. Taliban said that US scored a direct hit on a Kabul hotel used by their soldiers but they did not give any casualty figure. Local people were quoted as saying that rockets hit the Baghi Bala Hotel at the main approach road to it. Northern Alliance said that its troops were preparing to launch a multi-pronged attack on Taliban positions in and around Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif.
Bureau Report