US Aims Airstrikes at Taliban Days After Trump's 'Very Good Talk' With Group

The US military conducts an airstrike against Taliban forces in Afghanistan just a few days after signing a deal for peace. 

Preventing Conflict Escalation 

Tuesday and Wednesday were quite intense for Afghanistan despite Saturday’s breath of relief after the US signed a peace deal with the Taliban meant to de-escalate pressure in the region and to withdraw US troops. 

“The US conducted an airstrike Wednesday against Taliban fighters in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand, who were actively attacking an #ANDSF checkpoint. This was a defensive strike to disrupt the attack,” Col. Sonny Leggett, spokesman for the US Forces in Afghanistan tweeted out, adding that this was the first strike carried out in 11 days. 

Tuesday saw an increased amount of Taliban attacks, with 43 alone being on Afghan National Defense and Security Forces checkpoints in Helmand, with the Interior Ministry’s deputy spokeswoman Marwa Amini saying there were attacks in at least 16 provinces. 

Local officials told CNN on Wednesday that at least 25 Afghan soldiers were killed in the Taliban attacks, and at least 13 others have been injured. 

Meanwhile, the US coalition has been in communication with the Taliban since the drone strike, emphasizing on one of the terms of the agreement – that the Taliban has to control their fighters so that a path towards peace could become reality, not just a dream. 

“We call on the Taliban to stop needless attacks and uphold their commitments. As we have demonstrated, we will defend our partners when required,” Leggett wrote on Twitter, adding that the US is “committed to peace,” but ultimately that comes down to the Taliban’s actions, and that the US will defend “our ANDSF partners.”