Word: mazar
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...would the fall of Mazar-i-Sharif change the strategic equation in Afghanistan...
...Mazar has tremendous historical and religious significance in Afghanistan. It contains a shrine to Ali, the nephew of the Prophet Muhammad who is revered by the Shiite Muslims. And, of course, Hazari ethnic group, which makes up much of the city's population and some 20 percent of Afghanistan, are Shiite - which is why the Sunni Taliban took such delight in taking it from them...
...even greater significance are the city's two air strips, which once they're repaired could make a huge difference to the U.S. military campaign - right now planes have to fly from the Arabian sea across Pakistan, often having to refuel before they reach their targets. But flying from Mazar would put U.S. warplanes ten minutes away from their targets. Also, it would open the gates for massive food aid distribution, which is desperately needed on the plain to the south of the city where hundreds of thousands of people had depended on food aid even before the fighting began...
...Some people believe that if Mazar-i-Sharif falls, it's all over for the Taliban. But I think that's overstated. They're extremely strong in the south, and they're being reinforced daily by volunteers from Pakistan and elsewhere. But if the reports prove true, it would certainly be a major blow to the Taliban - their first big loss...