The US believes that active bombing is not needed
The Pentagon said the security situation in Afghanistan was deteriorating rapidly. The radical Taliban movement (a terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation) continues massive offensive operations. The militants have already taken control of six administrative centers in the Afghan provinces. At the same time, the United States showed no signs of an increase in the intensity of air strikes against the Taliban. The Americans are convinced that Kabul has all the possibilities and advantages to independently change the fighting situation in the republic.
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On Monday, August 9, US Department of Defense spokesman John Kirby said during a regular briefing that the security situation in Afghanistan was deteriorating rapidly, which he said was a “deep concern”. A ministry official noted that militants of the radical Taliban movement had “accelerated the offensive” and that events were therefore not “going in the right direction,” according to Al Jazeera. It is already the sixth administrative center of the province, completely captured by militants. The Taliban reportedly entered Aybak without a fight after local elders called on the authorities to rid the village of armed conflict.
The fighters also managed to control the city of Zaranj (capital of Nimroz province), the city of Shibargan (center of Jauzjan province), the city of Talukan (Takhar province), the city of Sari Pul (capital of the province of the same name) and Kundúz in the eponymous province of the same name. province.
Meanwhile, the American side believes that “Afghan forces have every opportunity to significantly change the fighting situation. “
“They have all the benefits,” John Kirby added, referring to the Afghan security forces. “The only question is to make full use of them.”
At the same time, a spokesman for the military department assured that Washington intends to continue helping Kabul, and said: “When it makes sense, we will start supporting them with air strikes.”
Despite the Taliban's rapid offensive, the United States has shown no signs of an increase in airstrikes on Afghanistan. Kirby stressed that Americans now see the confrontation in the republic as “a struggle between Afghan political and military leaders for victory or defeat,” the ministry official said. “This is their struggle and their country to defend.”
According to the Associated Press, General Mark Millie, chairman of the Corps of Chiefs of Staff of the US Armed Forces (AF), spoke the next day with the commander of the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. The senior military did not provide any new recommendations for strengthening operations to protect Afghans. Americans are heading for the Taliban several raids a day, and officials said there are no signs of an increase in their pace.
Meanwhile, US Special Representative for Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad has traveled to Doha to meet with representatives of countries in the region and international organizations to try to find ways to resolve the situation in Afghanistan. This is stated in a report published on the website of the US State Department.
“Ambassador Khalilzad traveled to Doha to help formulate a joint international response to the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan,” it said.
It should be noted that over several scheduled meetings for three days, “representatives of countries located inside and outside the region, as well as multilateral organizations, will insist on reducing violence and ceasefire” in the republic, as well as “a commitment not to recognize forced government forces. “Khalilzad will put pressure on the Taliban and try to get him to stop his military offensive and negotiate a political settlement,” the State Department said. “… A negotiated peace is the only way to end the war, and the United States will continue to work with all parties, regional and international stakeholders to reach a compromise on a political settlement.”
Recall that the situation in Afghanistan has escalated. after the United States announced the withdrawal of its contingent from the country and the end of operations in the republic, making it the longest overseas military campaign in American history. Following this decision, radical Taliban militants launched a massive offensive against government forces. The Afghan army has announced mobilization.