Exclusive: Obama approves broader role for U.S. forces in Afghanistan

[Valin]

Reuters:

Phil Stewart

June 10 2016

 

 

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has approved giving the U.S. military greater ability to accompany and enable Afghan forces battling a resilient Taliban insurgency, in a move to assist them more proactively on the battlefield, a U.S. official told Reuters.

 

The senior U.S. defence official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the decision would also allow greater use of U.S. air power, particularly close air support.

 

However, the official cautioned: "This is not a blanket order to target the Taliban."

 

Obama's decision again redefines America's support role in Afghanistan's grinding conflict, more than a year after international forces wrapped up their combat mission and shifted the burden to Afghan troops.

 

(Snip)

 

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Bill Roggio ‏@billroggio

 

Note to future presidents: Please don't declare wars over unless they are , like, really over. See: Iraq, Afghanistan.

 

8:01 AM - 10 Jun 2016