US conduct airstrike on Taliban in Helmand, Afghanistan hours after Trump-Mullah 35 minute phone call

• US Forces conduct airstrike against Taliban fighters in Helmand Province
• Airstrike comes after 11 attacks by Taliban on ANDSF checkposts on 3rd March alone
• Escalation comes after a series of meetings, a peace deal and a 35 minute phone call between Trump and Mullah Baradar

News broke earlier about an airstrike conducted by US Forces against Taliban fighters through the US forces Spokesperson Colonel Sonny Leggett.

The US forces spokesperson tweeted, “The US conducted an airstrike on March 4 against Taliban fighters in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand, who were actively attacking an ANDSF checkpoint. This was a defensive strike to disrupt the attack. This was our 1st strike against the Taliban in 11 days.”

https://twitter.com/USFOR_A/status/1235116513629057025

The spokesperson stated the reason for the strike was the incessant attacks by Afghan Taliban, citing numerous attacks on 3rd March alone.

“On March 3rd alone, the Taliban conducted 43 attacks on ANDSF checkpoints in Helmand. The Taliban claim to be fighting to free Afg. from int’l forces, the Feb 29 agreement provides a conditions-based path to withdrawal.”

https://twitter.com/USFOR_A/status/1235116515764121601

He continued to highlight that the Taliban leadership pledged to reduce attacks and not increase them but did not stick to their word. He reiterated the US forces’ unconditional support for it’s “partners” in the region.

“Taliban leadership promised the int’l community they would reduce violence and not increase attacks. We call on the Taliban to stop needless attacks and uphold their commitments. As we have demonstrated, we will defend our partners when required.”

https://twitter.com/USFOR_A/status/1235116519878782977

Colonel Leggett ended his statement with committing America’s mission for peace and stability in Afghanistan. He emphasized that while the Taliban need to step up and comply with the earlier agreement like the people of Afghanistan and the US have.

“To be clear- we are committed to peace, however we have the responsibility to defend our ANDSF partners. Afghans & US have complied w/ our agreements; however, Talibs appear intent on squandering this opp. and ignoring the will of the people for peace.”

https://twitter.com/USFOR_A/status/1235116522302996481

The escalation comes after a historic agreement ending the Afghan war that has been proclaimed since the commencement of the war on terror in 2001.

All was set in stone, including a 35 minute phone call between Trump and Taliban leader Mullah Baradar yesterday, with Trump claiming that peace is the agenda for all parties.

https://twitter.com/AamajEnglish/status/1235112120099827712

With such aggression after negotiations, it's anyone's guess if its a peace deal or a war deal.