KANDAHAR, Nov 2: Popular support for the Taliban appears undimmed in the militia’s heartland despite the rising tide of misery endured by residents during almost four weeks of US air strikes.

There is no electricity in the city, which has borne the brunt of US attacks to force the Taliban to hand over Osama bin Laden while water supplies have also been cut, residents told foreign reporters taken on a tour of the former royal Afghan capital on Friday.

According to the United Nations, about 80 percent of Kandahar’s population of 200,000 people have fled since the Sept 11 attacks on New York and Washington.

Many small shops in the city centre are open but markets are sparsely frequented. Food is available but people say there are less than a few weeks supplies remaining and prices are rising steadily.

Still, they do not complain too loudly.

Saleh Mohammad, a 60-year-old baker, said: “A bag of flour which cost around 800 Pakistani rupees (13 dollars) now sells around 1,000 rupees but there is no serious shortage.”

Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar made this southern city the spiritual capital of his hardline Islamic movement after it seized the official capital Kabul in 1996.

But he and other Taliban leaders are believed to have fled before US air strikes started on October 7.

They have left behind a Kandahar that has become “a filthy mess,” with no sanitation as well as no utilities, according to residents.

But the people who remain are determined to stay, and they stay loyal to their Muslim faith.

Atta Mohammad, pushing his cart along a Kandahar street, said: “I have earned enough to purchase four loaves but these are difficult times for us.

“I am staying here because I believe in God and those who are fleeing are those who do not believe in God.”

Agha Jan, a currency dealer, said: “There is no water, there is no electricity but still the Americans do not have the courage to send ground troops.

“If they were really brave they should send troops. They cannot fool us with dollars and food packages.”

Shopkeeper Mohamad Aiwas added: “We want to convey a message to the Americans: do not send your ground troops here. The Russians were forced to flee licking their wounds and this will be the fate of the Americans.”

Afghans have still not forgiven the Russians for the 1979-89 occupation of their country by the Soviet Red Army.

Now there is a strong reaction against the United States, Britain and Pakistan, which supports the US-led anti-terror coalition.

People in the street abused Pakistani journalists in the group and cursed President Pervez Musharraf.

TAKEOVER: Taliban militia and their allies have taken over most United Nations offices and vehicles in their southern bastion of Kandahar, UN spokeswoman Stephanie Bunker said at a press conference in Islamabad .