U.S. forces carry out targeted airstrikes in Central Afghanistan, killing five insurgents

NERKH, WARDAK: In a statement from Col. Sonny Leggett, the official spokesperson of the United States Forces in Afghanistan, the U.S. Air Force carried out targeted airstrikes in Nerkh last night, in defense of the Afghan National Defense Forces; killing five Taliban fighters in the process.

In the midst of a peace process fraught with obstacles, violence in Afghanistan continued to escalate, culminating in a series of attacks on civilians and Afghan security forces, with over 730 security personnel and 168 civilians being killed in the process. The recent attack on the Shia-populated Dasht-e-Barchi area, at a local education center, killed an additional 24 people. The Taliban has not formally taken responsibility for these attacks, often citing the Islamic State’s activities in the country.

The historic peace deal between the United States and the Taliban in February, was based on a conditional basis, as both parties agreed to a ceasefire and a cessation in hostilities - however, the surge in violence has often pushed this fragile peace deal to the brink of collapse, as today's incident marks yet another moment of concern for the entirety of the process.

With the U.S. Presidential Elections underway in November, the Trump Administration is keen on expediting the peace process, and ensuring that all concerned parties remain on track for the subsequent troop withdrawal.