In fact, this government is little more than a cover for the northern alliance's military effort to retake Kabul.

He said he has already fought once with the mujahedeen against the northern alliance, and might do so again.

India offered the US its air bases, it provided the northern alliance with logistical support.

"They told me that the (northern alliance) commander had sold me to them, and they were trying to figure out what the truth was."

If you fought against the northern alliance, you would be killing Muslims, I said.

He then signed up for a military training camp that ultimately sent him to fight American and Northern Alliance forces in Afghanistan.

The reason has been clear: The Northern Alliance has been the only proxy force in the country.

Today, their Northern Alliance, advancing behind American bombs, again controls Kabul, the capital.

According to conversations with his father, Hicks said he had been abused by both Northern Alliance and US soldiers.

The northern alliance collapsed after Urien of Rheged was murdered and a feud broke out between two of its key members.