KABUL, Oct 26 (Reuters) With every western bomb that falls on acivilian target in Kabul the mood among those once disillusionedwith the Taliban worsens against the United States.
When Washington began its aerial onslaught against Afghanistannearly three weeks ago to flush out Osama bin Laden some Kabulresidents privately relished the prospect of the ruling MuslimTalibans swift demise.
But as the campaign dragged on with mounting civiliancasualties, attitudes towards Washington hardened.
"It is getting worse, because they are also killingcivilians," said one doctor who asked not to be identified.
"The more civilians fall victim, the more the hatred againstAmerica will rise,"he added.
The United States says it targets only military installationsbut the hardline Taliban say hundreds of civilians across thecountry have been killed.
"e dont know how long this war will go on but the more itdrags on, it will damage the image of America," the doctor said.
"I, at the beginning of the attacks, was in favour of itbecause we want a change.
But since this dream seems not to becoming and people perish, i dislike the Americans," he added.
Doctors at Kabul hospitals put the toll from the strikes atat least 25 killed and dozens wounded.
Many are no stranger to the horrors of urban warfare, havingworked through the battles between rival factions that virtuallyflattened the city in the mid 1990s.
They fear they will be unable to cope with mounting casualties.
They are short of medicine, clean water and electricity.
"During the previous war in Kabul we had similar problems,but then foreign agencies were here to help us.
Borders wereopen and staff was getting through," says surgeon Ajab Gul.
"And now we have a small generator, but not fuel for it todo the operation and warm the wards as the weather is gettingcooler day by day," he adds.
At the childrens hospital where about 30 woundedyoungsters have been brought since the raids began doctorBashir Ahmad is trying to operate in 19th-century conditions.
"Look at this lamp," says Ahmad, pointing to a gas lamp."We carry out operations with this in the absence of power." "There is some help coming from a couple of aid agencies,sufficient to keep the hospital going for the moment.
But itwill be difficult to operate like doctors when we have morepatients if the situation gets more nastier," Ahmad said.
"The other night we borrowed blood from the blood bank fora wounded patient who had no money to buy it.
"We cant pay the money back unless somebody donates it tous," he added.
Outside the hospital Kabuls long-suffering residents tryto get on with life.
The streets are crowded during the day,empty at night when the raids begin.
"Our life is like that of the early days of mankind," saysone resident, Attaullah, 48.
"There is no school, food, water and medicine or power inhospitals.
All of these are probably not the result ofAmericas attacks, but they seem to have compounded theproblems and will continue to do so if this war goes on more."