U-S B-52 bombers have pounded Taleban frontline positions north of the Afghan capital Kabul -- making it possible for the opposition Northern Alliance forces to move closer to the Taleban-held northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif.
The opposition forces said they have seized control of Shulgar district and are advancing on Mazar-e-Sharif from the southeast and the southwest.
But the Taleban repeated its claims that the bombing raids have had no impact on its fighting ability and that the raids killed civilians.
Pentagon officials say the coming winter is going to be very cold for the Taleban since their supplies have dwindled or been destroyed and reinforcements will be difficult.
U-S special forces on the ground in Afghanistan have helped warplanes pinpoint Taleban and al-Qaida terrorist targets. U-S Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Tuesday the number of U-S special forces in Afghanistan has more than doubled since last week, and more are preparing to go in. He did not give precise numbers.