Afghan children play in the old part of the northern town

• 
  
• Afghan children play in the old part of the northern town of Mazar-i-Sharif in Balkh province
•  on March 27, 2012. Once known as the "mother of cities," the ancient city of Balkh was a popular
•  destination along the ancient Silk Road. Balkh was destroyed by Mongol conqueror Genghis Khan during
•  his rule, and the city's ruins remain a tourist attraction today