US carries out air strikes to aid embattled Afghan forces

The US has carried out air strikes to support Afghan government forces who have been under pressure from the Taliban as US-led foreign forces carry out the final stages of their withdrawal from the country.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told reporters on Thursday the air strikes were in support of Afghan security forces in recent days but did not provide details.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the strikes came on Wednesday night on the outskirts of the southern city of Kandahar, killing three of their fighters and destroying two vehicles.

“We confirm these air strikes and we condemn them in the strongest terms. It is a clear attack and violation of the Doha deal as the Americans can’t have operations after May,” he said, referring to an agreement between the US and the Taliban clearing the way for the withdrawal of US forces.

“If they conduct any operation, then they will be responsible for the consequences.”

Reuters could not immediately reach a spokesperson for US forces in Afghanistan to confirm the time and location of the strikes.

Under the original withdrawal deal between the US and the Taliban, brokered by the Trump administration and signed in Qatar’s capital, all foreign troops were expected to be gone by May if the Taliban met security guarantees.

President Joe Biden announced in April that US troops would withdraw by Sept 11, angering the Taliban who had expected the withdrawal to be completed by May as agreed.

Since Biden’s withdrawal decision, violence has risen sharply with the militants launching major offensives, taking districts and important border crossings and encircling or closing in on several provincial capitals, including Kandahar.

Almost all US troops, except those protecting the embassy in Kabul and the capital’s airport, have left the country.

The rival Afghan sides have been holding peace talks in Doha but progress has been slow.

Kandahar province has traditionally been a Taliban stronghold and fighting there has been heavy in recent weeks with the insurgents capturing the main border crossing with Pakistan in the south.

Reuters journalist Danish Siddiqui was killed in the area last Friday while covering a clash between Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters.