Two A-10 Thunderbolt IIs in-flight over Afghanistan providing aerial security for coalition forces (Sgt. Aaron Allmon/USAF)The Hill: US stepping up airstrikes against ISIS in Afghanistan
The U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan has in recent weeks stepped up airstrikes against former Taliban members who have rebranded themselves as part of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
"I can't give you a number, but I can tell you in the last roughly three weeks, we have significantly increased our pressure on Daesh in Afghanistan, particularly in the Nangarhar province," said Army Brig. Gen. Wilson "Al" Shoffner, deputy chief of staff for communication for the mission, using another name for ISIS.
Rules of engagement do not allow the U.S. to strike Taliban members who are not with ISIS unless they are directly threatening U.S. troops, despite recent Taliban gains and U.S. military officials being concerned about cooperation between the group and al Qaeda.
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