U.S., Afghan forces troops battle Taliban, ISIS ahead of elections

NANGARHAR, Afghanistan – Parliamentary elections in Afghanistan are just days away, and the Taliban and ISIS fighters, countered by Afghan and U.S. troops, are doing all they can to disrupt voters.

Nangarhar in Eastern Afghanistan was the deadliest province for Americans in 2017. Of the 11th American troops killed in Afghanistan last year, more than half died here. Not only is it Taliban territory, but it's also an ISIS stronghold. The terror group has launched this year, killing hundreds of people.

Soldiers who were fifth graders when this war began in 2001 now direct Afghan forces in an operation to clear ISIS-held villages, under the command of Lt. Col. Brian Ducote.

We asked if he was kicking the hornet 's nest, expecting a fight back.

"We want to fight back, because we know they do not want to kick back, they want to destroy them," Ducote said.

The soldiers of Charlie Company are among 14,000 U.S. troops still serving in Afghanistan. We can not help but think about "outside the wire," a military convoy being the only way U.S. forces can get around. The soldiers have been cautioned on the lookout for the people of the fire, an IED, a roadside bomb or a vehicle bomb on the road to the rental.

This is company commander Shift. Kirby Robinson's second tour in Afghanistan, and his sixth combat deployment. The fight has changed over time. Twenty miles from the frontline, U.S. Army officers are using armed drones and intelligence to monitor Afghan forces taking the fight to ISIS.

Over on the Afghan side, they have learned their strengths. But Robinson would not say they're "winning."

"I would not use the word winning." I would not use the word losing, "he said. "I want to use the word 'impact.' I think that's the biggest word, best word for what we're doing. "

It may be too early to know what the new tactics are having. Goal Afghan military losses continue to be so high, the government no longer gives those figures out.