Bombing Campaign
As Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami began moving 4,000 fighters across the countryside towards Mazar-e-Sharif in preparation for battle, American forces launched a bombing campaign through November 7–8, as B-52 bombers bombed Taliban defenders concentrated in the Chesmay-e-Safa gorge that marked the southern entrance to the city, as well as the Haji Gak pass which was the only Taliban-controlled entrance to the city. Nevertheless, the Taliban stated they were still able to bring 500 fighters into the city to prepare for the coming battle. Taliban forces fired anti-aircraft guns at the planes, but none were shot down.
It was one of the heaviest bombings of the war to that point.
Read more about this topic: Fall Of Mazari Sharif
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