United States Leaves Afghanistan, 100 Taliban Insurgents Killed In 24 Hours

Afghan soldier illustration. (Wikimedia Commons / Spc. Theodore Schmidt)

JAKARTA - More than 100 Taliban insurgents have been killed in the past 24 hours in fighting between Afghan soldiers and militant groups on Sunday, the Afghan Defense Ministry said.

The violence came after the United States carried out airstrikes in Kandahar, which is often dubbed the birthplace of the Taliban. Violence escalated as Afghan forces took control of a US military base in Helmand Province, Afghanistan's restive south.

The United States military said it carried out a precision airstrike after a base at its airfield in Kandahar received an indirect fire that was ineffective and caused no damage.

"As part of the ongoing withdrawal, the US military handed over Camp Antonik in Helmand to Afghan troops", the Defense Ministry said reported The National News, Monday 3 May.

It said the base would be used by Afghan special forces who have been trained in counter-terrorism operations by the United States and NATO militaries.

The United States military handed over Camp Antonik to Afghan forces, a day after it officially began withdrawing its remaining troops from the country.

"Taliban and government forces have clashed in several provinces, including in the former rebel stronghold of Kandahar, where the US military carried out a precision strike on Saturday when it began withdrawing its last troops", the Afghan Ministry of Defense said.

"Another 52 Taliban fighters were injured in the clashes", the ministry continued without giving details of casualties suffered by government forces.

The Taliban did not comment on the fighting, but both sides have been known to exaggerate the casualties incurred on the other.

The United States military officially began withdrawing its remaining 2,500 troops from the violence-stricken country on Saturday, May 1, as ordered by President Joe Biden last month.

Afghan officials say all foreign troops will be brought to Bagram, the largest American base in Afghanistan, and from there they will return to their respective countries.