US B-52 bombers and gunships sent into action in Afghanistan to try to stop Taliban advance on key cities

• The Taliban seize territory across Afghanistan as US-led forces withdraw.

• The United States sent B-52 bombers and Specter gunships to stop the Taliban’s advance on three key cities.

• This decision shows how much Afghan forces still depend on the United States for military equipment and support.

• See more stories on the Insider business page.

The United States has sent B-52 bombers and Specter gunships to Afghanistan in an attempt to stop Taliban insurgents marching to three key cities.

The B-52s fly into Afghanistan from an air base in Qatar, hitting targets around Kandahar, Herat and Lashkar Gah in Helmand province, sources told The Times.

The move comes amid an increasingly dire situation in Afghanistan, as the Taliban continue to seize territory across the country as US-led forces withdraw.

The Pentagon estimates that the group now controls half of Afghanistan’s 419 district centers.

On Friday, the Taliban captured Zaranj in Nimroz, making it the first provincial capital to be captured by insurgents since their military campaign began in May.

The Taliban also assassinated government media official Dawa Khan Menapal the same day in Kabul.

The deployment of US bombers and helicopter gunships also shows just how dependent the struggling Afghan forces remain on US support.

The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, jet-powered, subsonic strategic bomber that can carry up to 32 tonnes of bombs.

The bombers first flew during the Cold War and played a key role in the Taliban’s overthrow from power in late 2001, according to Arab News.

The B-52 has not been used in Afghanistan for nearly a year, according to the Times.

The United States also uses armed Reaper drones and AC-130 Specter gunships, and at least five missions are flown each day, the Times said.

The Afghan Air Force is still dependent on planes supplied by the United States, which now run out of spare parts and trained technicians after the departure of American contractors, the Times reported.

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The newspaper said at least seven Afghan pilots were killed after being targeted by the Taliban, while others are said to be exhausted after relentless missions.

Although Joe Biden has set an Aug. 31 withdrawal deadline, U.S. defense sources told The Times there is every intention to continue the airstrikes after that date.

“It is getting worse by the day here,” retired security analyst and colonel Mohammad Hassan told Arab News.

“The cancellation of flights to Herat and the fact that America has resumed using the B-52 are not good signs. It will cause more panic among the general population and shows the precariousness of the situation.”

The Afghan government estimates that more than 40,000 families have been displaced by the fighting since early May.

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