WASHINGTON, Oct 7 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - The United States has opened "another front" in its war on terrorism, the White House announced Sunday as explosions rocked the Afghan capital of Kabul and the Taliban's center command at the airport in Kandahar, CNN reported.
Several loud explosions were heard in the Afghan capital Kabul Sunday night as electricity supplies were cut, residents of the city reported to Agence France-Presse (AFP).
U.S. President George W. Bush addressed the nation shortly thereafter as U.S. attacks were underway in Afghanistan.
Bush said that this was the initial assault aimed at crippling the Taliban's command and control centers.
He justified the attack by saying that the Taliban had not met any of the U.S. administration's demands since the September 11th bombing. These include handing over Osama bin laden, shutting down training camps, and returning all foreign nationals to their home countries immediately.
Bush said the Taliban had not adhered to those demands.
Witnesses in Afghanistan said they could hear Taliban artillery, anti-aircraft and small arms fire in what sounded like an outbreak of fighting on the streets of the city.
CNN also reports that thousands of residents in Kahandahar are fleeing the city. Residents had just begun to return from the Afghan border and refugee camps as early as yesterday as Taliban leader Mullah Muhammad Omar requested Afghans return.
Witnesses in Kandahar report that Mullah Omar's house is also a target in the attacks.
Tensions are high in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan as the ruling Taliban beefs up its frontlines in preparation for more possible U.S. military retaliation for its refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden.
Opposition forces, poised as close as 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of the capital, have pledged to cooperate with any U.S. assault and have been in close talks with U.S. military planners in recent days.
