Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "ائتلاف شمال" in Persian language version.
The alliance is primarily comprised of three non-Pashtun ethnic groups – Tajiks, Uzbeks and the Hazaras – and in the past relied on a core of some 15,000 troops to defend its territories against the predominantly Pashtun Taleban.
Until recently, the alliance's main backers were Iran, Russia and Tajikistan.
