Washington has stepped up air strikes against militants of the radical Taliban over the past few days, The Washington Post reports
Its sources said at least four airstrikes against the Taliban were carried out on Wednesday and Thursday this week. The attacks have included Kandahar province, a Taliban stronghold. The sources said the strikes were carried out at the request of Afghan security forces or to support them during clashes with the Taliban and for weapons that had fallen into the hands of militants.
WSJ noted a significant increase in US operations against the Taliban compared with recent months. The paper also quoted Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid as saying that this was a violation of the US deal with the Taliban and would have “negative consequences”.
In spring 2021, US President Joe Biden announced his decision to withdraw the US contingent from Afghanistan. The military is expected to leave by September 11. This overseas military campaign was the longest in the history of the United States.