Well that didn\u2019t take long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. carried out an airstrike against Taliban forces<\/a> attacking an Afghan checkpoint today, a U.S. military spokesman announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe US conducted an airstrike on March 4 against Taliban fighters in Nahr-e Saraj, Helmand, who were actively attacking an #ANDSF<\/a> checkpoint. This was a defensive strike to disrupt the attack,\u201d said USFOR-A spokesman, Col. Sonny Leggett, via Twitter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It was the first strike against the Taliban in 11 days, he said. It came just five days after the U.S. and Taliban signed an historic agreement<\/a> that would end America\u2019s longest war if the Taliban lived up to its commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n U.S. officials argue there\u2019s a commitment by the Taliban to reduce violence. However, the four-page agreement signed Feb. 29 does not discuss a cessation of hostilities or reduction in violence. Technically, the week-long reduction-in-violence partial truce ended on Feb. 29.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Taliban announced it would resume attacks on Afghans after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said that he would not agree to the exchange of up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners<\/a> for up to 1,000 Afghan security force prisoners as a precondition of the deal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n On March 3 alone, the Taliban conducted 43 attacks on ANDSF<\/a> checkpoints in Helmand<\/a>, Leggett said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe Taliban claim to be fighting to free Afg. from int\u2019l forces, the Feb 29 agreement provides a conditions-based path to withdrawal,\u201d said Leggett.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTo be clear- we are committed to peace, however we have the responsibility to defend our #ANDSF<\/a> partners. #Afghans<\/a> & US have complied w\/ our agreements; however, Talibs appear intent on squandering this opp. and ignoring the will of the people for #peace<\/a>. #Showyourcommitment<\/a>,\u201d Leggett tweeted.<\/p>\n\n\n\t