U.S. extended the authorities of U.S. troops in the fight against the Afghan Taliban

Almaty. June 10. Silkroadnews – U.S. President Barack Obama has approved the extension of U.S. military forces’ authorities in the fight against extremists of “Taliban” movement in Afghanistan, TASS reports.

“U.S. president Barack Obama has approved the additional powers to be given to the U.S. armed forces to assist the Afghan security forces in the fight against the Taliban,” the publication states with reference to the source in the Pentagon.

This step shall enable greater use of American aircraft in operations against extremists. However, the agency warned the decision of the head of the state “is not a contract” to carry out air strikes against the Taliban.

At the end of 2014 the United States and other NATO countries have announced the completion of the “combat mission” of their troops in Afghanistan and handed over the control of the situation in the country to the national army and security forces. President Obama hoped to return nearly all the U.S. troops by the beginning of 2017, though later was forced to revise such plans as the situation in Afghanistan still remains unstable. In October he announced his decision to slow down the withdrawal of troops from the country and keep there a contingent of 9.8 thousand troops for the most of 2016. So far it is assumed that by the end of next year the number of troops will be reduced to 5.5 thousand located in Kabul and at three bases in other parts of Afghanistan.