Afghan Alliance Rift Looms as US Seeks Back-up

RIVALRIES between Afghan factions are threatening to undermine the American-led effort against al-Qaeda as hundreds of former Northern Alliance troops pour into eastern Afghanistan to assist in the battle.

Wearing new uniforms and riding ancient Soviet tanks, the Northern Alliance troops chugged along the winding mountain roads towards Gardez yesterday.

But it was unclear whether they were going into battle with al-Qaeda or into yet another brutal factional squabble. Local warlords working for the Americans were incensed at the new deployment, which came at the behest of the interim Government in Kabul.

"We will not allow troops from the north to fight in our area," Pasha Khan, the commander of a Pashtun faction working with American special forces, said.