Afghan special forces arrive, as they launch a counteroffensive to retake the city from Taliban insurgents, in Kunduz on Sep. 29, 2015.(Photo: NASIR WAQIF, AFP/Getty Images)
The U.S. military says it launched an airstrike on the city of Kunduz in northern Afghanistan early Tuesday, after it was captured by the Taliban the previous day.
U.S. Army Col. Brian Tribus, spokesman for the U.S. and NATO missions in Afghanistan, said the strike was carried out "in order to eliminate a threat to the force."
Afghan forces have launched an operation to try and retake the city, which fell to the Taliban on Monday.
In televised statements Tuesday,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said<span style="color: Red;">*</span>security forces are “retaking government buildings" and that<span style="color: Red;">*</span>reinforcements<span style="color: Red;">*</span>are either in<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Kunduz<span style="color: Red;">*</span>or en route.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Ghani is currently<span style="color: Red;">*</span>marking<span style="color: Red;">*</span>one year in office.
An Afghan<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Defense Ministry statement said a<span style="color: Red;">*</span>police headquarters and the city's prison have been<span style="color: Red;">*</span>taken back from the militants, the Associated Press reported. The claim could not be independently verified. Monday, the Taliban freed hundreds of<span style="color: Red;">*</span>prisoners from<span style="color: Red;">*</span>the jail including Taliban members, according to media reports.
USA TODAY
Taliban captures key northern Afghan city of Kunduz
Kunduz, which has a population of around 300,000, is in a<span style="color: Red;">*</span>strategic location with roads<span style="color: Red;">*</span>connecting it with<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Pakistan, China and other parts of<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Asia.
Doctors Without Borders says<span style="color: Red;">*</span>its trauma center in the city<span style="color: Red;">*</span>is<span style="color: Red;">*</span>at full capacity after receiving 102 wounded patients following<span style="color: Red;">*</span>heavy fighting Monday.
It is the first time the Taliban has<span style="color: Red;">*</span>seized a major city in Afghanistan since its<span style="color: Red;">*</span>regime was overthrown by a U.S.-led coalition in 2001.
The Taliban has been pressing attacks against Afghan security forces since the U.S. combat mission there<span style="color: Red;">*</span>officially ended last year and the government assumed responsibility for security.
Fewer than 10,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan to provide<span style="color: Red;">*</span>training and other support.
Contributing: Jim Michaels
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