US targets Taliban positions in Helmand province

KABUL (Khaama Press): A number of airstrikes were carried out by the United States on Taliban affiliates and strongholds in southern Helmand province, as the battle between the Afghan government and the militant group intensified in the region.

American forces actively carried out airstrikes against the Taliban, a US official on condition of anonymity told VOA news.

The airstrikes come amid US pledges on supporting and facilitating Afghanistan and its government forces. The official declined to provide additional details, the operation was carried based on security needs.

Meanwhile, John Kirby, Pentagon press secretary told reporters that US forces will continue to support Afghanistan’s defense forces as the withdrawal process continues. He added there is strong capability at the disposal of US commanders on the ground, he added, “to the degree we can, as we transition out, we’re going to continue to try to support Afghan national security forces in the field,”.

The US targeting Taliban comes amid escalated violence across Afghanistan and the Helmand province.Just recently, four civilians were injured in a blast in the northern province of Kunduz province. The incident occurred at around 10:20 am local time in Mokhaberat square in PD4 of Kunduz city, after a civilian vehicle was targeted in a magnetic bomb blast. No group or individual claimed responsibility for the attack.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Defense in a released statement said 43 Taliban militants were killed in Lashkargah’s Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand province. Fawad Aman, Deputy Spokesman for the Ministry of Defense said Thursday that heavy clashes took place between Afghan Defense and Security Forces and the Taliban in Nahr-e-Saraj district of Helmand province.

According to Aman 43 Taliban insurgents were killed and further 19 others were wounded during the skirmishes. Some Taliban weapons and ammunition were also destroyed during ANDSF operation. According to reports about 1000 families have been displaced due to the clashes, unfortunately, reports indicate many other families including children and women are trapped inside their homes in a miserable condition because the Taliban were stationed inside residential places. Reports indicate the militants use civilians as shields to attack Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.

In the meantime, MoD stated that at least 179 Taliban fighters were killed and 91 others were injured in Kandahar, Badghis, Balkh, Farah, Helmand, Takhar, and Kunduz provinces in the past 24 hours during ANDSF operations. MoD also state that Afghan defense forces also discovered and defused 15 IEDs in the embattled regions. This comes despite peace efforts and confirmation of withdrawal date by US President Joe Biden, the violence has ragged across the country. The Taliban have not yet commented on the incident.