Kabul - Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement, yesterday offered amnesty to its retreating foes and temporary shelter to hundreds of thousands displaced by a week-long offensive north of the capital, Kabul. The Taliban leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, promised protection for those who joined his "Islamic Emirate" and said those continuing to oppose would be regarded as rebels.
His statement was seen as a thinly veiled offer to fighters loyal to Ahmad Shah Masood to defect to advancing Taliban troops, a common practice in the 20-year ethnic and political war that has devastated the state.
The amnesty was announced as thousands of Taliban fighters closed in on the last Masood strongholds in Panjsher valley and north-eastern provinces.