Special to WorldTribune.com

The United States on Sept. 29 launched an air strike on the Afghan city of Kunduz a day after it fell to Taliban forces.

The strike was launched “in order to eliminate a threat to the force,” said U.S. Army Col. Brian Tribus, spokesman for the U.S. and NATO missions in Afghanistan.

Kunduz, with a population of 300,000, is the first major city in Afghanistan to be seized by the Taliban since its defeat at the hands of the U.S.-led coalition in 2001.

Less than 10,000 U.S. troops remain in Afghanistan after President Barack Obama’s order to withdraw. Most are there to provide training and support for Afghan troops. Taliban forces have carried out several attacks since the U.S. draw-down in 2014.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said on Sept. 29 that security forces were “retaking government buildings” and reinforcements were en route to Kunduz.

The Associated Press reported that a police headquarters and a prison were taken back from the Taliban, but not before hundreds of prisoners were freed, including Taliban members.

  Ashraf Ghani, Kunduz, U.S. launches air strike on Afghan city captured by Taliban, WorldTribune.com