Taliban advances in northern Afghanistan could be stopped and even pushed back this summer, according to opposition commander Ahmed Shah Masood in a report on Tuesday.
Masood, leader of the armed resistance to the Islamic militia, told Jane's Defence Weekly: "Last year we were in a particularly bad financial (and economic) position. We had neither money, nor aircraft and ammunition."
Speaking at his Khwaja Bahauddin military headquarters near the Tajikistan border, Masood explained why Taliban forces' had achieved some of their most recent military successes, including the capture of Taloqan last September.
"There were tactical reasons for our defeat, such as (Taliban) use of armour, but the most strategic reason was that I was unable to get the war moving in parts of the country in the enemy's rear.
"When Taloqan fell I had only two helicopters left operating ... and the Taliban were able to bring forces and munitions from everywhere and concentrate pressure against one point." – LONDON (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
