The U.S. intends to step up military operations against Islamic State (IS) in eastern Afghanistan during a temporary ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban, senior U.S. officials said on Friday.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday announced the first unconditional ceasefire with the Taliban, coinciding with the end of Ramzan. The ceasefire excludes other militant groups such as the IS.
The IS has developed a stronghold in Nangarhar, on the porous eastern border with Pakistan and is among the country’s most dangerous militants since it appeared around 2015.
“(Operations against ISIS) will continue, in fact will be even intensified during this period of ceasefire,” said U.S. Army General John Nicholson, commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan.
U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said the United States could now redirect significant military capabilities towards the IS and other militant groups.