"Airstrikes to continue in support of Afghan army"

The head of the US Army Central Command says American forces will continue their airstrikes in support of the Afghan military fighting the Taliban in the coming weeks. General McKenzie also acknowledged that there are tough days ahead for the Afghan government. He said it will be clear in the next days and weeks if Afghan forces will be able to defend the country. McKenzie's remarks came as thousands of families have been displaced in the fighting in the past month in the southern city of Kandahar. On Sunday, fighting continued and McKenzie said the US air force carried out airstrikes in the province. Ousted from power in a US-led invasion in 2001, the Taliban have spearheaded deadly fighting taking dozens of cities and villages. Government forces have launched operations to retake strategic areas from the militant group.