A failed Taliban attack on an Afghanistan provincial capital this week shows that President Trump’s new strategy for the country is working, the Pentagon said Thursday.
Afghan security forces reportedly suffered about 25 casualties but were able to repel the major offensive on Farah and kill 28 Taliban fighters with backing by U.S. war planes, drones, and military advisers there.
Afghanistan has stood up six army corps nationwide to provide security under the new strategy announced by Trump in August, and that effort is paying off with more effective operations in the war, which is the longest in U.S. history.
“Our Afghan partners’ success in places like Farah are a testament to the tremendous improvements in the Afghan national army, Afghan special security forces, and the Afghan air force,” said Dana White, chief Pentagon spokesperson.
The Afghan forces used their own A-29 Super Tucano attack aircraft, which flew from Kabul, and Mi-17 helicopters against the Taliban after the assault began around 2 a.m. Tuesday.
U.S. A-10 aircraft were deployed as a show of force, while a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone fired on Taliban targets. White confirmed that U.S. advisers also assisted.
White said the assault was a “vain” attempt by a desperate Taliban as it resorts to more violence across the country and the Afghan security forces gain strength.
“Now for the first time across Afghanistan, all six Afghan army corps are on the offensive against the Taliban,” she said. “This is a great milestone for Afghanistan that will allow for coordinated campaigns as they take the fight to the Taliban throughout the country.”
