US Withdraws From Siege As Afghan Ethnic Rivalries Flare

I note that the arrival of the Northern Alliance Tajik forces into this area (as I mentioned here) has caused ructions with the local Afghan commanders, who fear a Northern Alliance takeover. Not wanting to be caught in the middle of a possible 3-way fight between the Pashtun Taliban in the caves, the non-Taliban Pashtun that surround them, and the newly arrived Tajik, the Pentagon is pulling out, despite not securing a victory, and leaving some of its troops disillusioned, while others are even talking about spies, ambushes, and betrayal.

There are, apparently, still Pashtun Taliban left hiding in the caves. It’s as if the Alamo held out.