US strikes Taleban targets in show of force in Afghanistan
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KABUL • United States military aircraft struck a number of Taleban positions last week in support of faltering Afghan government forces, in one of the first significant American moves in reaction to the insurgents' blistering advance across Afghanistan as US troops withdraw.
At least one of the strikes was against Taleban positions in the key southern city of Kandahar, slowing an advance that threatened to take over the city.
The Taleban called the strikes "disobedience" to last year's withdrawal agreement with the Americans, and they warned of unspecified "consequences" - an indication that the air strikes had an impact on the insurgent group.
The Taleban now threatens most of Afghanistan's 34 provincial capitals and even Kabul, the national capital. The group has overrun more than half of the country's 400-odd districts, in many cases seizing them without a fight, since it began its offensive in earnest in May.
Last week's air strikes, which took place on Wednesday and Thursday, reflect both the level of American worry and the Afghan military's continued need for US air support, as Washington attempts to end nearly 20 years of war in the country.
The US and other major powers are pushing for a peace deal between the Taleban and the Afghan government, but the Taleban believes it is winning the war, leaving little incentive to negotiate.
Several Pentagon officials confirmed that additional bombing raids around Kandahar and other contested areas are likely in the coming days. Pentagon officials confirmed the recent US strikes, but were tight-lipped about specifics.
The officials have been similarly ambiguous for weeks about the scale and scope of continued US military involvement in Afghanistan's war, though they indicated earlier this month that it could continue at least until the withdrawal was completed at the end of next month.
Even as the Taleban's military advance continues almost unchecked, the group has become increasingly emboldened.
The Taleban left top Afghan government officials empty-handed after a peace meeting in Doha, Qatar, last weekend, not even agreeing to the traditional ceasefire over the Eid holiday.
NYTIMES
