US strikes Taliban in Afghanistan under new authority

By Kasim Ileri

WASHINGTON (AA) – The U.S. military has launched its first airstrikes against the Taliban in Afghanistan since President Barack Obama's decided to expand the American mission in the country, the Pentagon said Friday.

Spokesman Peter Cook told reporters at a press briefing that he could confirm that American forces on the ground have started to use the new authority.

“The first use of these authorities involved airstrikes,” Cook said. “And they were in the southern portion of Afghanistan.”

He declined provide details about the outcome of the strikes, citing specific requests from commanders to not release particulars for the sake of the security of the operations.

Earlier this month, Obama gave the U.S. military authority to support Afghan forces, in the air and on the ground.

Prior to that decision, U.S. forces in Afghanistan were allowed to train and advise Afghan forces and conduct unilateral counterterrorism action against Daesh elements in the country.

During a congressional hearing in April, Pentagon officials acknowledged that the military does not have the authority to strike the Taliban.

After NATO decided to pull out its combat forces from the war-torn country at the end of 2014, the alliance changed its mission in Afghanistan from a combat role to a train and advise one.

The U.S. has 9,800 troops in Afghanistan and is scheduled to reduce hat number to 5,500 by the end of the year.

Washington is yet to decide when reductions process will begin as the administration is under the pressure from lawmakers who are concerned about the Pentagon’s assessment of the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.