The war on terrorism has begun....
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The war on terrorism has begun....
Good luck boys and girls.
from news.bbc.co.uk
from news.bbc.co.uk
The United States has begun its military operation in Afghanistan.
"We are beginning another front in our war against terrorism," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said.
There were reports of loud explosions in the Afghan capital Kabul and electricity supplies are also said to have been cut in the city.
US President George Bush is to address the nation shortly, and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair will speak immediately afterwards.
Meanwhile, the Taleban says it has sent 8,000 troops to its border with Uzbekistan, which has given the US access to an air base for its anti-terrorism campaign.
The US administration has repeatedly rejected Taleban offers to bargain over the fate of its guest, Saudi-born militant Osama Bin Laden.
The US promised action after terror attacks against the US on 11 September left over 5,600 people dead or missing.
The US has formidable air power at its disposal
Two hijacked planes crashed in the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, and a third hit the Pentagon in Washington.
A fourth hijacked plane crashed in Pennsylvania.
The US was quick to name Bin Laden and his al-Qaeda organisation as the chief suspects behind the suicide attacks.
President George W Bush demanded that the ruling Taleban in Afghanistan hand over Bin Laden and other suspects immediately or "share in their fate".
And on Saturday he said that full warning had been given and time was running out.
But despite diplomatic pressure from neighbouring Pakistan, the Taleban refused to expel Bin Laden.
Coalition-building
The US has repeatedly stressed that their actions since the 11 September attacks were not directed against Islam.
President Bush has tried to obtain support from as wide a coalition of nations as possible.
He said that "either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists".
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair was one of the first to pledge backing for US efforts.
The Pakistani leader, General Pervez Musharraf, has also offered full support, but he has faced considerable opposition at home from those opposed to any US military action.
Pakistan and Iran have agreed to open their borders to receive refugees from Afghanistan in the event of strikes by American-led forces.
Rumours of possible strikes have led to a major exodus of refugees from Afghanistan.
"We are beginning another front in our war against terrorism," White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said.
There were reports of loud explosions in the Afghan capital Kabul and electricity supplies are also said to have been cut in the city.
US President George Bush is to address the nation shortly, and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair will speak immediately afterwards.
Meanwhile, the Taleban says it has sent 8,000 troops to its border with Uzbekistan, which has given the US access to an air base for its anti-terrorism campaign.
The US administration has repeatedly rejected Taleban offers to bargain over the fate of its guest, Saudi-born militant Osama Bin Laden.
The US promised action after terror attacks against the US on 11 September left over 5,600 people dead or missing.
The US has formidable air power at its disposal
Two hijacked planes crashed in the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, and a third hit the Pentagon in Washington.
A fourth hijacked plane crashed in Pennsylvania.
The US was quick to name Bin Laden and his al-Qaeda organisation as the chief suspects behind the suicide attacks.
President George W Bush demanded that the ruling Taleban in Afghanistan hand over Bin Laden and other suspects immediately or "share in their fate".
And on Saturday he said that full warning had been given and time was running out.
But despite diplomatic pressure from neighbouring Pakistan, the Taleban refused to expel Bin Laden.
Coalition-building
The US has repeatedly stressed that their actions since the 11 September attacks were not directed against Islam.
President Bush has tried to obtain support from as wide a coalition of nations as possible.
He said that "either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists".
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair was one of the first to pledge backing for US efforts.
The Pakistani leader, General Pervez Musharraf, has also offered full support, but he has faced considerable opposition at home from those opposed to any US military action.
Pakistan and Iran have agreed to open their borders to receive refugees from Afghanistan in the event of strikes by American-led forces.
Rumours of possible strikes have led to a major exodus of refugees from Afghanistan.
