Northern alliance prepares spring offensive against the Taliban

In an interview with the Araina Visual Network agency, the leader of the Northern Alliance Ahmad Shakh Masood said that "his troops' preparations for a great offensive against the Taliban have been completed." In the near future, the Alliance's military leaders and their new allies may meet in session, after which they will go to the fronts to direct the spring offensive. According to the agency data, about 30 MI-8 combat helicopters have already been delivered to the Tahar province. Apart from this, the Alliance's units have 150 tanks and 50 missile launchers at their disposal. At the same time, both warring parties declared that on April 17-19 their units would observe a moratorium on military operations to give the United Nations Organisation an opportunity to carry out another stage of Afghan children's vaccination against polio. Earlier, sources in the Alliance's leadership reported that a 20,000-strong regular army had been formed in the country's northern area. Apart from this, several outstanding field commanders and political leaders have joined the Alliance over the past month, which will make it possible to open a number of new fronts against the Taliban this year.

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