‘US to defend Afghan forces against Taliban attacks’

KABUL (Pajhwok): US Forces in Afghanistan on Monday rejected violating the Doha peace agreement as claimed by the Taliban by conducting airstrikes against their fighters.

US Forces in Afghanistan Spokesperson Col. Sonny Leggett on his twitter handler said: “The Taliban’s accusations the US violated the US-Taliban agreement are false.”

He added US Forces had been clear and consistent and would defend Afghan forces against rebel attacks. “We renew our call for all sides to reduce violence.”

“The Taliban’s campaign of unclaimed attacks and targeted killings of government officials, civil society leaders and journalists must also cease for peace to succeed,” he remarked.

Earlier, the Taliban claimed US forces conducted airstrikes targeting its fighters in Uruzgan, Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces.

The Taliban said the airstrikes in support of government forces during operations were in violation of the peace agreement, threatening a serious response.

nh/ma