NORTHERN, Afghanistan, (Islamweb & News Agencies)-US aircraft have bombed Taleban front-line positions north of the Afghan capital Kabul, in the first verified strike of its kind. (Read photo caption below)
A local opposition commander said the planes had targeted Taleban positions around the Bagram airfield, and there were reports of attacks near Darra-e Sof - an opposition-held enclave outside the strategic northern city of Mazar-e Sharif.The strikes went ahead despite concern voiced by some members of the anti-terror coalition about the possible entry into Kabul of the opposition Northern Alliance.
But US Secretary of State Colin Powell said on Fox TV that it would be in the best interest of the US and its allies to "resolve" the military conflict in Afghanistan before winter.
Meanwhile, there were reports that a number of people had been killed in Afghanistan in overnight bombing raids by American planes.
Two Western news agencies with reporters on the ground said there had been civilian casualties as a result of the bombing of residential areas.
PHOTO CAPTION:
A Navy F/A-18 prepares for takeoff from the USS Theodore Roosevelt.