Al-Qaida pleads for food, weapons

ISTANBUL: The leader of Al-Qaida in Afghanistan says militants are short of food, weapons and other supplies needed to fight foreign forces there, a website linked to the group said.

Al-Qaida has been severely weakened in Afghanistan since US-led forces toppled their Taliban hosts in response to the Sept 11, 2001 attacks. A gap may also have opened up between Al-Qaida and the Afghan Taliban, many of whom blame Osama bin Laden's group for causing the US-led invasion, analysts say.

"In Afghanistan, we have a severe supply deficit. The main reason for the weakness in operations is insufficient supplies. Many mujahideen sit and wait and cannot fight for lack of supplies," Mustafa Abu al-Yazid said on a website used by top Al-Qaida leaders and other militants to post statements.