Afghan Forces Free Most Hostages Taken In New Taliban Attack

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan forces rescued nearly 150 people Monday, including women and children, hours after the Taliban ambushed a convoy of buses and abducted them. The quick response marked a rare if limited battlefield success for the troops after weeks of unrelenting insurgent attacks. The militants escaped with 21 captives following the battle…

Mattis Says Further taliban Assaults Likely In Weeks Ahead

By ROBERT BURNS ,  AP National Security Writer BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Western-backed Afghan defenses will not break under the weight of Taliban violence in advance of scheduled parliamentary elections in October, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said. In his most detailed comments on the Taliban’s assault on the eastern city of Ghazni since it began…

US casualties in fighting in southern Afghanistan

WASHINGTON (AP) – Defense officials say a number of U.S. special operations troops have been killed or wounded in fighting in southern Afghanistan. The fighting Tuesday against the Taliban was near the city of Marja in Helmand province, where the Taliban has made recent gains. Details on the battle and the number wounded or killed…

Charges against Bergdahl being referred for court-martial

WASHINGTON (AP) – The attorney for Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was released in exchange for five Taliban detainees from Guantanamo Bay, says the soldier’s case has been referred for trial by a general court-martial. Attorney Eugene Fidell says the convening authority did not follow the advice of the preliminary hearing officer who had recommended that…