US hits Taliban with airstrikes, says US military spokesman, as peace process falls apart

4 Mar, 2020 08:25 / Updated 1 minute ago

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The US military has conducted airstrikes against Taliban fighters in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, jeopardizing a fragile ceasefire between the two foes that many hoped would bring the 20-year conflict to an end.

A spokesman for US forces said that an airstrike targeted Taliban fighters in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand, who were “actively attacking” an Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) checkpoint. The Pentagon insisted the strike was defensive and aimed at “disrupting” the Taliban assault, claiming that it was the first US attack on the Taliban in eleven days.

The spokesman also called on the Taliban to stop “needless attacks” and uphold their side of the ceasefire.

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