Expressing concern over the security situation in Afghanistan, US President Barack Obama has approved broader role for his troops stationed in the war-torn country to help Afghan forces effectively carry out anti-terrorism operations.
“What these authorities will allow is it will allow US forces to engage in similar efforts to accompany conventional Afghan security forces when they undertake operations,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters at his daily news conference on Friday.
“What this would allow is the US forces to be more proactive in supporting conventional Afghan forces as they take the fight to the Taliban. And this means, in some cases, offering close air support, or it means, in some cases, accompanying Afghan forces on the ground or in the air,” Earnest explained.