Kabul
A US air strike launched to support Afghan security forces killed five Taliban fighters in central Afghanistan yesterday, a spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan said.
Violence has escalated in recent weeks with clashes taking place between the insurgents and government troops across the country, while negotiators from both sides have held talks in Qatar for a peace deal that could allow Washington to withdraw its remaining forces and end the United States’ longest war. Col. Sonny Leggett, the US military spokesman in Kabul, said the air strike in Wardak province was conducted to defend Afghan government troops and targeted Taliban fighters, killing five. He said the action was in accordance with terms of the United States withdrawal agreement struck with the Taliban in February.—Reuters
