The US forces in Afghanistan have launched strikes against the Taliban militants under the new expanded authorities granted by Obama earlier this month.
The officials in Pentagon have confirmed that the new airstrikes were carried out in the southern parts of the country lately and following the approval of the new broader role for the US forces in the country.
Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook has said the strikes hit their intended target, though he would not elaborate.
Cook further added that goal of the strikes, “would be a strategic effect on behalf of the Afghan forces that we are enabling.”
Obama approved broader role for the US military to assist the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) to fight the Taliban-led insurgency
The US forces were earlier accompanying the Afghan special forces only when it was needed.
According to the US officials, under the new policy the US commander in Afghanistan, General John Nicholson, will be able to decide when it is appropriate for American troops to accompany conventional Afghan forces into the field.
