NATO’s recent offensive in Southern Afghanistan was a “significant success” that has driven Taliban insurgents from their positions and opened the way for development, said British Lt. Gen. David Richards, commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, crediting the teamwork of Afghan, NATO, and coalition forces. The two-week offensive, known as Operation Medusa, has paved the way for the “reconstruction and development” that will bring a “long-lasting security,” added Richards in a statement. The end of Medusa also marked the beginning of a new one, dubbed Operation Mountain Fury, which involves 7,000 coalition forces in the central and eastern provinces.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
