The GBU-43/B is launched from a MC-130E Combat Talon I at Eglain Air Force Base in Florida on November 21, 2003. PHOTO: REUTERS
WASINGTON: The United States dropped a massive GBU-43 bomb, the largest non-nuclear bomb it has ever used in combat, in eastern Afghanistan on Thursday against a series of caves used by Da’ish militants, the military said. It was the first time the United States has used this size of bomb in a conflict.
As many as 36 suspected Islamic State militants were killed, Afghan defence ministry said on Friday.
Also known as the ‘Mother of All Bombs’, the GBU-43 was dropped from a MC-130 aircraft in the Achin district of Nangarhar province, close to the border with Pakistan, Pentagon spokesman Adam Stump said.
What is the ‘Mother of All Bombs’ and what is it capable of
General John Nicholson, the head of US and international forces in Afghanistan, said the bomb was used against caves and bunkers housing fighters of Da’ish in Afghanistan. It was not immediately clear how much damage the device did.
Press Sec.: U.S. forces used GBU-43 bomb on tunnels, caves ISIS fighters used to move around freely in Afghanistan. https://t.co/SOvEDd0HBq pic.twitter.com/hVt2GFVuRr
— ABC News (@ABC) April 13, 2017
White House spokesman Sean Spicer opened his daily news briefing speaking about the use of the bomb and said, "We targeted a system of tunnels and caves that ISIS [Da’ish] fighters used to move around freely, making it easier for them to target US military advisers and Afghan forces in the area."
Last week, a US soldier was killed in the same district as the bomb was dropped while conducting operations against Da’ish.
"The United States takes the fight against ISIS very seriously and in order to defeat the group, we must deny them operational space, which we did," Spicer said. He said the bomb was used at around 7pm local time and described the device as "a large, powerful and accurately delivered weapon." The United States took "all precautions necessary to prevent civilian casualties and collateral damage," he said.
Pres. Trump on military using GBU-43 bomb on ISIS in Afghanistan: "This was another very, very successful mission." https://t.co/SOvEDd0HBq pic.twitter.com/CBsuvXNS98
— ABC News (@ABC) April 13, 2017
President Donald Trump touted the bombing as evidence of a more muscular US foreign policy since he took office in January after eight years of President Barack Obama.
"If you look at what's happened over the last eight weeks and compare that really to what's happened over the last eight years, you'll see that there's a tremendous difference," Trump told reporters at the White House on Thursday.
CNN’s Barbara Starr says dropping the MOAB “sends a message to insurgents that the US military will come after them” https://t.co/6zgXfXwXsa
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) April 13, 2017
US officials say intelligence suggests Da’ish is based overwhelmingly in Nangarhar and neighboring Kunar province. Estimates of its strength in Afghanistan vary. US officials have said they believe the movement has only 700 fighters but Afghan officials estimate it has about 1,500.
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