Northern Alliance Control Mazar-i-Sharif

The Northern Alliance totally controls the Afghan town of Mazar-i-Sharif, Doctor Abdullo, the Afghan Foreign Minister, was quoted as saying. According to him, in the late hours of November 9, advanced units of the Joint Front of the Northern Alliance entered the southern districts of Mazar-i-Sharif. Doctor Abdullo called this event "a great victory of the Northern Alliance." He added that the Northern Alliance had seized many pieces of small arms and ammunition, as well as 10 tanks. He said that 100 Taliban soldiers were imprisoned. The Afghan Foreign Minister stated that the Taliban troops had retreated in the direction of Samangan and to the area west of Shibirghan. He added that at present, there was no fighting either in the town or in its suburbs. The Joint Front Command of the Northern Alliance is taking all steps to ensure the security of local residents.