Russian Chief Of Staff Says First Stage Of Afghan Northern Alliance's Operation Is Over

The Northern Alliance has completed the first stage of its offensive on Taliban positions in Afghanistan, General of the Armies Anatoly Kvashnin, Russia's chief of general staff, told reporters Sunday. The Alliance overran Mazar-i-Sharif and Khayraton, major cities in northern Afghanistan, splitting Taliban forces into the Herat grouping and the one being located in the area of Kunduz and Talukan, according to the general. The military confirmed that Russia keeps rendering military-technological assistance to the Rabbani government without elaborating on what exactly is being supplied.