The Pentagon said early Wednesday that U.S. forces conducted "defensive" strikes against Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan, the first U.S. attack against the Taliban in 11 days. The U.S. and Taliban leaders signed a peace agreement on Saturday, but the Taliban then launched an offensive against Afghan troops in southern Helmand province, including 43 attacks on Tuesday, U.S. military spokesman Col. Sonny Leggett said. He called on the Taliban to stop the attack and uphold its commitments from the peace agreement.
The Taliban said Tuesday, and President Trump then confirmed, that the U.S. president and Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar had spoken on the phone Tuesday.
Trump said he and the Taliban leader had a "a very good talk," he believes the Taliban wants "to cease the violence" in Afghanistan, and "the relationship is very good that I have with the mullah."
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