Afghanistan's North Alliance opposition is preparing to launch an assault on Taliban front lines north of Kabul in the next few days, according to a senior commander.
Ahmad Ziah Masood, a brother of assassinated opposition leader Ahmad Shah Masood and a member of the movement's senior council, also said he saw no need for US ground forces in Afghanistan.
"Every day the Americans are bombing the front line, and now we should do something," he said. "I hope that in the next few days a final decision will be taken and an offensive (on Kabul) started as soon as possible."
"We have enough soldiers ourselves," he said, adding that there were 8,000 to 10,000 opposition troops available to march towards Kabul.
"There is no need for American soldiers here, just more bombing."