US kills 40 civilians in attack on Kunduz enclave

Refugees fleeing the US-led assault on the northern Afghan city of Kunduz have reported that 40 civilians were killed in a US attack on three mud huts on the outskirts of the city this morning.

Several refugees reported that US planes dropped bombs on the huts, which were occupied by civilians. A man called Sawar, who was fleeing the fighting in Kunduz, said he helped recover the bodies of 40 men, women and children from the rubble of the buildings.

Meanwhile, fighting has continued around Kunduz and the neighbouring town of Khanabad, despite reports of a Taliban agreement to surrender to its enemies in the Northern Alliance.

Backed by US attacks, the alliance advanced on the Kunduz enclave this morning, firing shells and rockets towards the city. The Taliban responded with its first mortar attack in days, casting doubt on reports that a surrender is imminent.

Some Taliban fighters have already crossed over to the Northern Alliance side, but the evidence suggests that many more have elected to remain in Kunduz to mount a last stand alongside their foreign comrades from Pakistan, Chechnya and other Muslim nations.

According to the Northern Alliance, they have negotiated a deal under which Taliban fighters who surrender will be allowed to return to their homes.

However, the foreigners, allegedly members of Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaida network, will probably be massacred if they surrender or are captured, despite the alliance’s promises to put them on trial.