U.S. airstrike 'likely killed' top Taliban leader

A U.S. drone strike Saturday targeted and "likely killed" Taliban leader Mullah Mansur in a remote area of Pakistan near the border with Afghanistan, a U.S. official said.

The strike was carried out by several drones operated by U.S. special operations forces and targeted Mansur while he was in a vehicle with another man who was also likely killed, said the official, who discussed the strike on the condition of anonymity.

In a statement, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said Mansur was “actively involved with planning attacks against facilities in Kabul and across Afghanistan, presenting a threat to Afghan civilians and security forces, our personnel, and coalition partners.”
“Mansur has been an obstacle to peace and reconciliation between the government of Afghanistan and the Taliban, prohibiting Taliban leaders from participating in peace talks with the Afghan government that could lead to an end to the conflict,” Cook added....................

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