U.S offers further air support to Afghan troops amid Taliban offensive

U.S. Marine Corps General Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, speaks during a news conference, in Kabul, Afghanistan July 25, 2021. REUTERS/Staff

KABUL (Reuters) -The United States will to continue to carry out airstrikes to support Afghan forces facing attack from the insurgent Taliban, a regional U.S. commander said on Sunday as U.S. and other international forces have drawn down troops in Afghanistan.

The Taliban has escalated its offensive in recent weeks, taking rural districts and surrounding provincial capitals, after U.S. President Joe Biden said in April U.S. troops would be withdrawn by September, ending a 20-year foreign military presence.