21.  Their fighters have been routed in all but one Afghan city, Kandahar.

22.  This northeastern Afghan city is controlled by anti-Taliban forces.

23.  A major international humanitarian organization shut down medical relief programs in two Afghan cities Thursday after armed gangs looted them of medicine, equipment and vehicles.

24.  A Taliban official in Herat said the northwestern Afghan city was under strong attack Tuesday night.

25.  A tribal leader, he remained with his men during the fight for Kandahar, the southern Afghan city abandoned by the Taliban last Friday.

26.  Afghan officials are receptive, and have even asked for similar operations in other Afghan cities, although that is unlikely because of U.S. opposition.

27.  All are meager but welcome signs of hope for the economy of this northern Afghan city.

28.  At least in three other Afghan cities the Taliban have launched a similar crackdown, she added.

29.  At least four American soldiers were killed Monday and one was injured in an accidental explosion near this southern Afghan city, U.S. officials said.

30.  Cmdr. Dan Keesee of U.S. Central Command said U.S. forces also dropped leaflets over six Afghan cities Sunday.