The U.S. launched airstrikes against several targets in Afghanistan to support the government in Kabul in their fight against Taliban insurgents.
Pentagon officials would not discuss details of the strikes – the first since operations in Afghanistan were handed over to U.S. Central Command – but said Marine Corps Gen. Frank McKenzie, who now oversees all military operations in the Middle East – has the authority to launch the missions.
Even as the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan continues, U.S. officials said the military has the ability to launch aircraft from other locations in the Middle East – including aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf.
Another Department of Defense official later told the AP that the U.S. conducted more than four airstrikes in support of Afghan forces on Wednesday and Thursday. At least two of the missions were directed at military hardware the Taliban had taken from the Afghan forces.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Gen. Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Afghan security forces have the capacity to defend their country.
“We will continue to support the Afghan Security Forces where necessary in accordance with the guidance from the president and the secretary of defense,” Gen. Milley said. “The future of Afghanistan is squarely in the hands of the Afghan people.”
