They were building a road north of Mazar-e-Sharif when they were seized by militants last December.

去年12月份，他们正在Mazar - e - Sharif北部修路时被好战分子劫持。

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The major cities of Afghanistan are its capital Kabul, Herat, Jalalabad, Mazar-e Sharif and Kandahar.

阿富汗最大的城市是它的首都喀布尔，此外还有Herat、贾拉拉巴德（Jalalabad）、马扎尔沙里夫（Mazar-e Sharif）和坎大哈（Kandahar）。

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The alliance earlier said it had taken the Zari district, also south of the Mazar-e Sharif.

CNN: Northern Alliance claims key wins

The stabilisation force will be deployed in five major cities -- Kabul, Kandahar, Jalalabad, Mazar-e Sharif and Herat.

CNN: First UK peace troops land in Kabul

Northern Alliance forces face a tough challenge should they attempt to advance on Mazar-e Sharif from the south.

CNN: New attacks on Kandahar