U.S. strikes Afghan Taliban targets, in debut of broader role

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military has carried out its first air strikes against Taliban targets in Afghanistan since President Barack Obama authorized limited, offensive operations against the insurgency earlier this month, the Pentagon said on Friday.

Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook declined to offer details on strikes, saying they were in southern Afghanistan and that no U.S. forces were in the area at the time. The new powers would allow American troops to accompany conventional Afghan forces.