Kabul captured

[fable]

The Northern Alliance entered Kabul a short while ago. Evidently there's widespread looting and celebrating going on, at the lifting of Taliban restrictions.

[Xandax]

It seems the Talebian has "left".

The thought is that they are heading east for the winter and to fortify position in the central mountains/west to create a pocket for gurillia attacks.

[fable]

The Taliban may have retreated, but Afghanis in general are among the most battle-hardened, tenacious fighters in the world. Returning to their home province means they're going to be that much harder to root out--which is fine, as far as I'm concerned, because I'm not interested in getting at 'em. I think all the focus on the Taliban by the government has been misdirection, designed to make us forget that we're supposed to be finding bin Ladan and al-Qua'ida.

[NeKr0mAnCeR]

they didnt enter kabul. they advanced 15km in its direction, they should enter it in the next few days

[fable]

Originally posted by NeKr0mAnCeR:
<STRONG>they didnt enter kabul. they advanced 15km in its direction, they should enter it in the next few days</STRONG>

According to a BBC reporter who was with the Northern Alliance troops, they entered Kabul about two hours ago. You could hear the sounds of gunfire and wild celebration behind him during his live report.

...Am just hearing: "The Northern Alliance forces have entered Kabul after the Taliban retreated earlier today...."

[ 11-13-2001: Message edited by: fable ]

[NeKr0mAnCeR]

my mistake sorry

[scully1]

Originally posted by fable:
<STRONG>Returning to their home province means they're going to be that much harder to root out--which is fine, as far as I'm concerned, because I'm not interested in getting at 'em.</STRONG>

<STRONG>Evidently there's widespread looting and celebrating going on, at the lifting of Taliban restrictions.</STRONG>

IMO, that is enough of a reason to get at 'em.

[ 11-13-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]

[Yshania]

And Afghan men were seen with their beards shaven, and women were talking to reporters about their experiences under, and opinions of, the Taliban regime. Cheering in the streets.

The report stated that the Taliban left in such a hurry, a lot of their men will still sleeping and subsequently taken prisoner by the Northern Alliance.

With no administration in place, it is unknown how these prisoners will be dealt with - already there have been rumours of lynching in the streets of Kabul.

[fable]

Originally posted by loner72:
<STRONG>IMO, that is enough of a reason to get at 'em.
</STRONG>

I'm afraid I'm missing something, here. It isn't the Taliban who are looting in Kabul, but a number of citizens who are taking advantage of what will hopefully prove a short period of lawlessness before the Northern Alliance in turn sets up a provisional government. So what did you mean, above?

[ThorinOakensfield]

Originally posted by fable:
<STRONG>The Taliban may have retreated, but Afghanis in general are among the most battle-hardened, tenacious fighters in the world. Returning to their home province means they're going to be that much harder to root out--which is fine, as far as I'm concerned, because I'm not interested in getting at 'em. I think all the focus on the Taliban by the government has been misdirection, designed to make us forget that we're supposed to be finding bin Ladan and al-Qua'ida.</STRONG>

Yeah, the afghanis would have thrown out the Russians even if the US didn't support them. The Pashtun people are mainly warriors. They are very proud of their weapons and carry them openly, but they aren't maniacs like the Taliban.

[Lazarus]

There's a really, really good article in the Washington Post, [url="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A22047-2001Nov13.html"]here.[/url] It brings up a whole lot of interesting questions ... I am very, very curious to see how all this turns out.

[Ned Flanders]

@Lazarus,

good article.