US sends warplanes to protect Afghan withdrawal
For nearly two decades, the United States and NATO have maintained a presence in Afghanistan
The United States has deployed additional military support to defend American and coalition forces withdrawing from Afghanistan
To protect soldiers and civilian contractors, heavy bombers and fighter jets will be deployed, reports BBC.
For nearly two decades, the United States and NATO have maintained a presence in Afghanistan.
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The withdrawal deadline has been set for September 11th by US President Joe Biden on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that started the battle.
However, the withdrawal takes place in the midst of rising instability, with Afghan security forces on high alert for retaliation.
The Taliban have confirmed that they are no longer bound by a cease-fire deal not to attack foreign forces.
What has been deployed?
Six B-52 long range bombers and 12 F-18 fighters have been deployed to protect the departing contingents of 2,500 US service members and 16,000 civilian contractors, said Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
General Milley added that while Taliban insurgents were launching between 80 and 120 attacks every day against Afghan government targets, there had been no attacks against US and coalition forces since the withdrawal began on 1 May.
"Less than one week in, the drawdown is going according to plan," Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters.
