Northern alliance moves equipment, men southward to Afghan capital

By ALEXANDER MERKUSHEV
Associated Press Writer

PANJSHIR VALLEY, Afghanistan – Opposition forces in northern Afghanistan closed roads to most civilian traffic on Monday and began moving Soviet-made Scud missiles south toward the capital, apparently preparing for an offensive on Kabul to accompany U.S.-led airstrikes.

Refugees fleeing north from the Afghan capital on donkeys, tightly gripping their meager possessions, crossed paths on the pitted roads with fighters from the anti-Taliban northern alliance who were taking advantage of good weather to head south.

The United States on Monday launched a second night of airstrikes on targets inside Afghanistan. Anti-aircraft fire could be heard in Kabul, where electricity was cut and Taliban radio told residents to close the blinds on their windows and remain indoors.

The opposition appeared to be gearing up for an offensive on the capital in coordination with U.S. military actions. Northern alliance officials inside Afghanistan and in neighboring countries have said in the past day that they are preparing to advance.

Alliance positions are as close as 25-40 miles north of Kabul at some points, but the map is deceiving. Between the opposition and the Taliban-controlled capital are several high mountain ranges – some of which soar over 13,000 feet. Some key peaks are controlled by the Taliban Islamic militia, which is harboring Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the Sept. 11 terror attacks on the United States.

Shortly after the initial U.S.-led air attacks Sunday, the alliance launched an assault on Taliban positions in the mountains above Baghram airport north of Kabul. The opposition has controlled the airport for years but has been unable to dislodge the Taliban from the heights so they could use the airstrip.

Rugged terrain, bad roads, choking dust and the coming bad weather of fall and winter could slow the alliance advance.

On Monday, Scuds could be seen on the roads heading south. The alliance is believed to have at most about 25-30 Scud-B ballistic missiles.

The alliance, which controls 5-10 percent of Afghanistan, has closed roads they control, allowing passage only to civilian vehicles with special permits. Opposition fighters travel in trucks or walk, carrying their weapons.

AP-WS-10-08-01 1308EDT