U.S. heightens attacks on Taliban

The Pentagon has stepped up airstrikes and special operations raids in Afghanistan to the highest levels since 2014 in what Defense Department officials described as a coordinated series of attacks on Taliban leaders and fighters.

The surge is intended to give U.S. negotiators leverage in peace talks with the Taliban after President Donald Trump said he would begin withdrawing troops and wind down the nearly 18-year war.

The campaign appears to have registered with the militants: During negotiations, the Taliban complained about the torrent of airstrikes, according to two senior Afghan officials who have spoken to Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy who is leading the talks. following standard protocol, they had forwarded it to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Toledo said that Guaido might let his supporters know “in coming days and hours” if they should concentrate along the Colombian border to create a “humanitarian corridor.”