KABUL, Nov 10 (Reuters) Taliban defence minister Obaidullah Akhund today told Reuters that the militia had lost the strategic northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif to the opposition Northern Alliance.
"Yes, Mazar has gone," he said in a brief interview.
"The city and its airport are with the opposition.
Our forces are in Tangi Tashgurghan," he said, referring to a town some 60 Km (40 miles) to the east of Mazar-i-Sharif.
The ancient city straddles major supply routes between Uzbekistan and the Afghan capital, Kabul, and its loss marks the first major blow to the Taliban in 35 days of US attacks.