Apparently this has still not been acknowledged by NATO or American officials but it looks like two NATO airstrikes were conducted in southern Afghanistan, more specifically, Helmand province, over the weekend that killed 16 Taliban - 13 dead in one strike, 3 later killed in a separate strike.
From the report at DAWN:
I believe what this represents is General Petraeus listening to the calls of his lower commanders begging for this kind of return to use of air support and air offensives. It's been far too long that the Taliban have walked around in Helmand (and other provinces) with absolutely no fear of what would come from above. And my issue with the former leashing of our air power has been that when the Taliban have no fear from Apaches or Cobras or even F-15's ....well, they are simply going to be planting a helluva lot more IED's during the day and night.
At the same time, there is nothing more detrimental to Taliban planning sessions and strategy meetings than a good old fashioned JDAM.
From the report at DAWN:
Two air strikes over the weekend in southern Afghanistan killed 16 insurgents, Afghan officials said.This is so encouraging - seriously, I cannot remember the last time we saw two U.S. or NATO airstrikes in Helmand province. And it's obvious the kind of results that we can get out of such attacks - the number of leaders taken out in these two strikes could possibly approach half a dozen.
A statement released late Tuesday by the governor of southern Helmand province said 13 militants were killed in a Nato air strike on a bazaar in Kajaki district. The statement said the Taliban were using the targeted site as a control centre and to hold meetings.
The same day, an air strike in Nad-i-Ali district killed three local Taliban leaders. The statement said the targeted leaders had coordinated attacks on Afghan army forces and Nato troops.
I believe what this represents is General Petraeus listening to the calls of his lower commanders begging for this kind of return to use of air support and air offensives. It's been far too long that the Taliban have walked around in Helmand (and other provinces) with absolutely no fear of what would come from above. And my issue with the former leashing of our air power has been that when the Taliban have no fear from Apaches or Cobras or even F-15's ....well, they are simply going to be planting a helluva lot more IED's during the day and night.
At the same time, there is nothing more detrimental to Taliban planning sessions and strategy meetings than a good old fashioned JDAM.
Afghanistan air strikes kill 16 insurgents
KANDAHAR: Two air strikes over the weekend in southern Afghanistan killed 16 insurgents, Afghan officials said.
A statement released late Tuesday by the governor of southern Helmand province said 13 militants were killed in a Nato air strike on a bazaar in Kajaki district. The statement said the Taliban were using the targeted site as a control centre and to hold meetings.
The same day, an air strike in Nad-i-Ali district killed three local Taliban leaders. The statement said the targeted leaders had coordinated attacks on Afghan army forces and Nato troops.
The governor’s office said no civilians were injured in Sunday’s strikes.
Nato did not immediately respond to requests to confirm the two incidents.
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