Officials claimed the Afghan air force hammered the Taliban with repeated bombings on Monday in an effort to prevent militant fighters from taking important cities in southern and western Afghanistan, as they fight for the country's future shifts from the countryside to major population centers.
According to Afghan commanders, Taliban outposts on the edges of Herat, Lashkar Gah, and Kandahar have been pounded by the US air force in recent days. Each of the cities is under threat from Taliban forces amassing in the area.
President Ashraf Ghani told parliamentarians on Monday that the security situation in Afghanistan will improve as the US-backed administration in Kabul attempts to reach a political agreement with the Taliban.
He did, however, promise to continue fighting the insurgents.
“While we will pursue a negotiated path, we will also stand resolutely against the Taliban's aggression,” the Afghan president tweeted.
Over the past three days, Afghan security forces have launched one of the country's greatest prolonged aerial assaults against Taliban targets, highlighting the threat the group now presents to strategically important cities across the country.
According to Afghan officials, at least eight Taliban members were killed in airstrikes outside Lashkar Gah early Monday morning.
Meanwhile, Afghan officials reported that US airpower had supported the struggle by executing many airstrikes over the weekend to thwart Taliban advances.
The Pentagon has revealed that American fighter jets are once again targeting Taliban forces, though defense officials have been largely silent on the specifics of those strikes.
The Taliban's urban onslaught and ensuing air campaign come as the US military draws to a close in Afghanistan after nearly two decades of conflict.
President Biden has set a deadline of Aug. 31 for the exit. According to Pentagon authorities, the pullout is more than 95% complete.
Since Mr. Biden originally announced the retreat in April, the Taliban has slowly gained territory. However, Afghan security forces and US air support have prevented the insurgents from taking any provincial capitals or significant cities so far.
