WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: The aerial assaults remain intense along the Taliban frontlines in northern Afghanistan. CNN's Chris Burns is in territory held by the Northern Alliance. He reports U.S. planes faced little resistance over the last 24 hours as they dropped their payloads on Taliban targets.</s>CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): U.S.-led bombardments step up along the front north of Kabul. Round the clock raids, involving heavy B-52 bombers blasting away at Taliban troop, command, artillery and tank positions. Taliban anti-aircraft batteries are silent this time after being targeted by previous U.S.-led attacks. Northern Alliance commanders had complained in recent weeks that the airstrikes were doing little to help them -- not any more. "From the information we have, the enemy has incurred heavy losses," says commander Aluzai Akmahdi (ph). Alliance officials say the airstrikes have destroyed at least 17 tanks this week, unclear the full extent of the damage or casualties. The latest bombardments struck at mountainside command posts and Taliban bases in at least two abandoned villages along the frontline, alliance officials say. "Some Taliban posts are being bombarded there in the Totiqan hills (ph), he says. Airstrikes also pounded at Taliban positions around the strategic northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif. The Northern Alliance hopes to drive the Taliban from there to secure a key north/south supply line before winter. When will the airstrikes be enough for the Northern Alliance to advance? And when will the Alliance forces be ready to launch an offensive? Alliance officials say the answers could come in a matter of days. Chris Burns, CNN, in northern Afghanistan.
U.S. Continues Intense Air Assaults Against Taliban