US Launched Recent Air Strikes In Afghanistan To Repel Taliban Offensive: Pentagon

The resurgent terrorists have pressed a sweeping offensive against government forces since May, amid the withdrawal of the American-led foreign forces.

The United States recently carried out air strikes as it backed the Afghan army's bid to repel a Taliban offensive, the Pentagon said Thursday, with the withdrawal of international forces from the country all but complete. "In the last several days, we have acted through air strikes to support to the ANDSF," said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby, referring to Afghan government forces. "We continue to... conduct airstrikes in support of the ANDSF," he told reporters at a press briefing, adding that head of the US Army Central Command (Centcom), General Kenneth McKenzie, had authorised the strike. Kirby said he could not provide details on the air strikes, but reiterated Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's Wednesday statement that the United States remains "committed to helping the Afghan security forces and the Afghan government going forward."