| Submit your comments on this article |
| Afghanistan |
| US ramped up airstrikes |
| 2017-01-10 |
| The U.S. Air Force dramatically increased the number of airstrikes it carried out in Afghanistan in 2016, data released by the military shows, a further sign of growing U.S involvement in the war following the withdrawal of most coalition troops two years ago. The increased engagement follows the U.S's decision last year to widen the military's authority to conduct offensive operations in Afghanistan amid gains made by the Taliban, its largest insurgency, and Daesh. "The increase in the number of U.S strikes is a direct result of having those additional authorities," U.S Army Brig. Gen. Charles Cleveland said Sunday. "As we move into 2017, U.S forces retain those authorities and will use them aggressively to target [Daesh] and to help the Afghans achieve strategic effects." The number of weapons dropped in Afghanistan in 2016 rose by around 40 percent to 1,337. The U.S Air Force also conducted more than 600 aerial sorties that resulted in at least one strike, almost 50 percent more than the previous year, although the number of overall sorties was slightly lower. The departure of international coalition troops in 2014 left a vacuum that has allowed the Taliban to escalate attacks on the Afghan government and gain territory. Worsening security conditions and a growing Daesh presence in the country last year led President Barack Obama to broaden the U.S military's role in Afghanistan. Since then, the U.S military has carried out near daily airstrikes on positions held by the country's nascent Daesh branch, and stepped up its efforts to help Afghan forces retain control over provincial capitals in other parts of the country. Obama gave the U.S military legal authority to target Daesh in Afghanistan in January 2016. The terror group emerged in the country two years ago as foreign forces were drawing down, establishing a foothold in several districts in eastern Nangarhar province. Over the past year, the group's presence has spread to at least one other province, as it works to recruit members in other parts of the country. Despite the increased military pressure, Daesh has managed to carry out a series of high-profile attacks targeting Shiite Muslims in Kabul, raising concerns about sectarian violence in the country. In June 2016, Pentagon officials said Obama had also expanded the U.S military's authority to attack the Taliban and help Afghan forces retain control over provincial capitals, which have come under increasing threat since the withdrawal of coalition troops. Also over the past year, U.S Special Forces have been dispatched to at least a half dozen provincial capitals to back up Afghan forces with airstrikes and other operations. Some 9,800 U.S troops are stationed in Afghanistan, most part of an international training effort. Another several thousand are part of a counterterrorism mission, though details on the operation haven't been disclosed. |
| Posted by:badanov |