The rebel Northern Alliance is starting its assault on the Afghan capital Kabul after a series of sweeping gains from the ruling Taliban regime.
The alliance claims to have advanced up to nine miles towards the city in an hour.
The forces say they have overrun Taliban frontline positions as the regime's grip on the country seems to be falling away. Taliban fighters are fleeing positions along the front, north of the capital. Ambulances have been seen racing toward the front lines.
Truckloads of opposition fighters are reported to be heading down the old road to Kabul to shore up their newly won positions against any counterattack.
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A US warplane gives air support to Northern Alliance troops
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However, it was unclear whether the opposition would try to take the city - with the United States insisting on the creation of a broad-based, post-Taliban government first.
The US wants agreement on a government including the majority Pashtun, from whom the Taliban draw their support.
But there has been no visible sign of progress on forming a credible alternative to the Taliban that would be ready to take power if the militia is driven out.
Earlier, Iranian state radio reported Northern Alliance forces had captured the strategic town of Herat, whose fall would open the way to Kandahar, the southern powerbase of the Taliban.
"The Northern Alliance forces captured this city after killing and taking prisoner a large number of Taliban forces," Iranian radio said, quoting its correspondent in the city.
A Taliban official has admitted Herat "may have fallen" after earier fervent claims by the militia that they were still in control.
The capture of Herat would open the way to Kandahar, the Taliban's powerbase in the south of Afghanistan.
AP/