Over the past two or three days, the United States Air Force has carried out several air strikes on the positions of the banned Taliban group (banned in the Russian Federation), which are located on the territory of Afghanistan. This was announced on Tuesday, August 11, by the official representative of the US Department of Defense, John Kirby.
"They have (the Afghan security forces. - Ed.) there are indeed advantages (in the fight against the Taliban. - Ed.), including the advantage of additional air support from the United States, which we continue to provide. We have carried out several airstrikes in the last 24-48 hours. We continue to support them, and they have advantages that the Taliban does not have, and now they have the opportunity to use (their advantages. - Ed.), " a representative of the US military department is quoted as saying by TASS.
Kirby also added that the provision of military air support by American forces to Kabul ends with the withdrawal of United States troops, that is, on August 31. At the moment, no decision has been made on the further protection of the country.
He pointed out that in comparison with the US air force, the same unit of the Afghan side surpasses its colleagues in the number of strikes on militant positions.
On August 11, The Washington Post newspaper, citing sources in the American government, reported that the administration of United States President Joe Biden reduced forecasts for the timing of the Taliban taking control of Kabul, indicating that now the capture of the Afghan capital can happen in 90 days. At the same time, Biden said that the decision to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan is not subject to change, despite the deterioration of the situation in the country. He also called on the Afghan troops to repel the Taliban militants who intend to seize Kabul.
On August 11, the Taliban reported that members of the movement had seized a prison in Kandahar, Afghanistan. According to the Taliban statement, hundreds of prisoners were released, and correctional officers surrendered.
In turn, the TOLOnews TV channel, citing local residents, reports that the Taliban has again resumed attacks on Kandahar and the neighboring province of Oruzgan.
On August 7, B-52 Stratofortress bombers of the US Air Force carried out airstrikes against Taliban forces in Jowzjan province. The representative of the Afghan Defense Ministry, Fawad Aman, also reported on the elimination of more than 200 Taliban, the destruction of more than 100 vehicles and a large number of weapons and ammunition.
On August 3, the head of the Afghan Foreign Ministry, Mohammad Hanif Atmar, said that the Afghan government is ready to work together with representatives of the Taliban, but to make the movement an integral part of the government only if the movement renounces terrorism.
The United States plans to withdraw its military contingent, which has been in the country for 20 years, by the end of August.
