US airstrikes Taliban after 'peace deal'
The US carried out an airstrike on the Taliban in Helmand province on March 4, the first such attack since Washington and the rebels signed a peace deal on February 29.
Taliban fighters "violently attacked an Afghan National Security Forces checkpoint. We conducted a defensive airstrike to disrupt the attack," Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, wrote on Twitter today, emphasizing that Washington is committed to peace but will defend Afghan forces if needed.
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Afghan security forces stand guard at an outpost after a Taliban attack in Kunduz province on March 4. Photo:Reuters. |
"The Taliban leadership has promised the international community that they will reduce violence and not increase attacks. We call on the Taliban to stop unnecessary attacks and maintain their commitment," he wrote.
This is the first time the US has attacked the Taliban since the two sidessign the agreementOn February 29, the US and foreign forces will leave Afghanistan within 14 months, and the Taliban and Kabul will exchange prisoners.
After signing the agreement, the Taliban continued to attack Afghan forces from March 2, although anonymous sources said the Taliban would limit attacks on foreign forces.
Clashes between the Taliban and Afghan security forces have occurred in nine provinces, including Helmand, an Afghan Defense Ministry spokesman said.
The war in Afghanistan is America's longest-running war, killing about 2,400 American soldiers since 2001, when Washington decided to send troops to the country after the September 11 terrorist attacks. The Pentagon maintains about 13,000 troops in Afghanistan.
