(CNN) -- The Taliban lost their last major stronghold Friday as Kandahar fell and opposition forces began entering the city, interim Afghan leader Hamid Karzai said.
In addition, the strategically important town of Spin Boldak, on the border with Pakistan and on road to Kandahar, has fallen to local leaders from three tribal groups, CNN's Nic Robertson reported from the scene.
"The Taliban authority is effectively finished," Karzai told CNN on Friday. "There is no longer a situation where we will need to push the Taliban forces out of Kandahar."
The Afghan leader said Taliban fighters had been scheduled to begin turning in their weapons Friday at two locations per an agreement struck Thursday, but that instead, they began fleeing the city overnight. Karzai said opposition forces surrounding Kandahar were beginning to come into the city. (Full story)
Meanwhile, U.S. Marines saw fierce action overnight, fighting a group of what were believed to be Taliban and al Qaeda forces near Kandahar. The Marines killed seven fighters. There were no Marine casualties. (Full story)
Events in Kandahar were chaotic as the Taliban fled and the forces of longtime mujahedeen commander Mullah Naqibullah took control of the city's major military and administrative buildings.
As the Taliban left, looters hit relief agency warehouses as well as private businesses and households.
In another development, Karzai said supreme Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar missed a Thursday night deadline to renounce terrorism.
"He did not do that," said Karzai, who will head a new interim Afghan government. "Last night was his last chance before the transfer of power to do that. He remains to be committed to his association with terrorism."
Karzai said he did not know Omar's whereabouts Friday. |
