The U.S. Air Force dramatically increased the number of airstrikes it carried out in Afghanistan in 2016, data released by the military shows, a further sign of growing U.S involvement in the war following the withdrawal of most coalition troops two years ago.
The increased engagement follows the U.S's decision last year to widen the military's authority to conduct offensive operations in Afghanistan amid gains made by the Taliban, its largest insurgency, and Daesh.
"The increase in the number of U.S strikes is a direct result of having those additional authorities," U.S Army Brig. Gen. Charles Cleveland said Sunday.
"As we move into 2017, U.S forces retain those authorities and will use them aggressively to target [Daesh] and to help the Afghans achieve strategic effects."
The number of weapons dropped in Afghanistan in 2016 rose by around 40 percent to 1,337.
The U.S Air Force also conducted more than 600 aerial sorties that resulted in at least one strike, almost 50 percent more than the previous year, although the number of overall sorties was slightly lower.
The departure of international coalition troops in 2014 left a vacuum that has allowed the Taliban to escalate attacks on the Afghan government and gain territory.
Worsening security conditions and a growing Daesh presence in the country last year led President Barack Obama to broaden the U.S military's role in Afghanistan.
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