Officials: White House OKs expanded Afghanistan airstrikes

WASHINGTON (AP) — After months of debate, the White House has approved plans to expand the military's authority to conduct airstrikes against the Taliban when necessary as the violence in Afghanistan escalates, senior U.S. and defense officials said Thursday.

Several officials said the decision was made in recent days to expand the authority of U.S. commanders to strike the Taliban and better support and assist the Afghan forces when needed in critical operations, using the U.S. troops already in the country.

Afghan military officials have been calling for expanded air support since they took over the fight in 2015, after most international combat troops were withdrawn at the end of 2014.

The Taliban have tried to take advantage of the inexperience of the Afghan security forces, who until recently were incapable of going on the offensive, according to U.S. military officials.

Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook was asked on Thursday whether the administration was looking at expanding the U.S. military's authorities to strike the Taliban more broadly.

U.S. troops are able to partner with Afghan special operations forces, but this new decision would allow commanders to have Americans work more closely with conventional Afghan units, including providing close air support or helping to call in strikes.