Taliban change strategy, target provincial Afghan cities in response to US strikes

The Taliban have stepped up their campaign to defeat the US-backed government as foreign forces complete their withdrawal after 20 years of conflict.

KABUL/PESHAWAR: Taliban militants have switched strategy from targeting rural areas of Afghanistan to attacking provincial cities, in response to increased US airstrikes after the United States said it was ending its longest war, three militant commanders said. The Taliban have stepped up their campaign to defeat the US-backed government as foreign forces complete their withdrawal after 20 years of conflict. A regional US commander said late last month the United States had increased airstrikes to counter growing Taliban attacks, a move condemned by the Islamist group. Fighting has been particularly heavy inside the city of Herat, near the western border with Iran, Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand province in the southwest, and Kandahar in the south.