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US airstrikes in Afghanistan near record high
US airstrikes in Afghanistan near record high after Trump vows to hit enemy hard
By PHILLIP WALTER WELLMAN | STARS AND STRIPES
Published: October 9, 2019
KABUL, Afghanistan — The United States dropped more bombs and other munitions in Afghanistan last month than any other month in nearly a decade, Air Force data released Tuesday showed.
The increase in bombing followed the collapse of peace talks between the United States and the Taliban in early September and a vow by President Donald Trump “to hit our enemy harder” than ever before.
Manned American aircraft and drones released 948 munitions in Afghanistan throughout September, according to U.S. Air Forces Central Command. Only two other months have had a higher tally since 2006, when regular figures were first published...
...Airstrikes, most of which were conducted by U.S. forces, were the leading cause of noncombatant deaths in Afghanistan during the first half of the year, killing more than 360 people, the U.N. said in a July report. The U.S. military routinely disputes the methodology and sourcing of the U.N.’s findings.
The increase in bombing followed the collapse of peace talks between the United States and the Taliban in early September and a vow by President Donald Trump “to hit our enemy harder” than ever before.
Manned American aircraft and drones released 948 munitions in Afghanistan throughout September, according to U.S. Air Forces Central Command. Only two other months have had a higher tally since 2006, when regular figures were first published...
...Airstrikes, most of which were conducted by U.S. forces, were the leading cause of noncombatant deaths in Afghanistan during the first half of the year, killing more than 360 people, the U.N. said in a July report. The U.S. military routinely disputes the methodology and sourcing of the U.N.’s findings.
More:
https://www.stripes.com/news/middle-east/us-airstrikes-in-afghanistan-near-record-high-after-trump-vows-to-hit-enemy-hard-1.602342