The U.S. has launched and completed an airstrike against Kunduz, Afghanistan on Tuesday, according to The Telegraph. The city was taken by Taliban extremists on Monday.
The spokesperson for the U.S. military forces in Afghanistan, Col. Brian Tribus, confirmed that an airstrike was carried out over the city. Local residents reported to hearing at least two airstrikes, The Telegraph reported.
Afghan reinforcements arrived near the city late Monday and were pushed toward the airport that night. Recent reports say that the Afghans were still holding the airport as of Tuesday afternoon.
The Taliban released a video showing their capture of the city on Facebook on Tuesday. As of 6 a.m. EDT, at least 16 people were dead and another 170 injured in the Kunduz area, according to The International Business Times. Afghanistan's president, Ashraf Ghani, released a statement saying that reinforcements were on the way and "the enemy has sustained heavy casualties."
On Tuesday, the Taliban stationed armed guards throughout the city of 300,000 residents, according to The Washington Times. Those remaining in the city are now effectively trapped by the guards. Several government buildings have been set on fire, according to reports coming from Afghanistan. Ghani has said the government will take the city back.
