Airstrikes against ISIS targets in Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar Province, near the key city of Jalalabad, have killed at least 25 ISIS fighters and wounded 31 others. ISIS has made this area their primary base of operation in Afghanistan.
According to Defense Ministry officials, the attack targeted a pair of ISIS “gatherings” organized by a pair of the group’s Afghanistan leaders. One of those leaders, Sayyed Amarati, was reportedly killed in the attack, though this has yet to be confirmed.
Though it was not clear who carried out the airstrikes, they were assumed to be launched by the NATO coalition. Afghan Defense Ministry officials credited their own troops with providing the coordinates for the attacks.
ISIS is becoming a growing concern across Afghanistan, with estimates earlier this month that they have as many as 3,000 fighters in the country. They have sought to supplant the Taliban in some districts, particularly in Nangarhar, and have been recruiting nationwide.