KABUL (SW) – The U.S. Forces in Afghanistan conducted an airstrike against Taliban fighters in Helmand, a first of the sort since the landmark peace deal.
Sonny Leggett, spokesman for the U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said on Twitter that the U.S. jets conducted an airstrike on Wednesday against Taliban fighters in the district of Nahr-e Saraj in the southern Helmand province. "[Taliban fighters] were actively attacking an #ANDSF [Afghanistan forces] checkpoint. This was a defensive strike to disrupt the attack. This was our 1st strike against the Taliban in 11 days," Legget said.
Earlier, a well-placed security source in Kunduz confirmed that the Taliban killed at least 15 soldiers and four local policemen in last night's attacks. However, Kunduz police spokesman Hijratullah Akbari said five local policemen were killed and four others were wounded. According to him, the attack was repulsed and casualties have been inflicted on the Taliban, whose exact statistics are unclear.
Leggett said the Taliban on Tuesday conducted 43 attacks on Afghan military checkpoints in Helmand.
"Taliban leadership promised the int'l community they would reduce violence and not increase attacks. We call on the Taliban to stop needless attacks and uphold their commitments. As we have demonstrated, we will defend our partners when required," said Leggett.
He added: "To be clear – we are committed to peace, however we have the responsibility to defend our #ANDSF [Afghan forces] partners. #Afghans & US have complied w/ our agreements; however, Talibs appear intent on squandering this opp. and ignoring the will of the people for #peace."
ENDS
