Obama Expands Role of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan Fighting
- U.S. forces to have more authority to accompany Afghan troops
- American military role increases in air, ground missions
President Barack Obama boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on June 8, 2016, en route to New York.
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U.S. forces will have a broader mission to target groups including the Taliban in Afghanistan, aiding their Afghan counterparts not only in training and advising but also accompanying them on the ground and in the air, an administration official said.
President Barack Obama authorized an expanded U.S. military role that allows for troops to provide Afghan forces with “close” air support against hostile targets, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss action that hasn’t been formally announced.