U-S planes continue pounding Taleban positions in Afghanistan today (Friday), as opposition forces make claims of advances on territory in the north.
Witnesses reported dozens of explosions in areas north of the capital Kabul and in suburbs of the city. More coalition ordnance fell in and around Kandahar, the Taleban stronghold in southern Afghanistan.
U-S fighter jets and B-52 bombers also struck front-line positions near the city of Mazar-e-Sharif, a strategic location along supply lines between the capital and the northern border. Opposition Northern Alliance leaders said anti-Taleban forces advanced toward the city and were around six kilometers from the Mazar airport.
However, the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press quotes the Taleban as saying its troops are holding their positions after beating back two opposition advances.
Neither side's claims could be confirmed independently.