US, Afghan forces push Taliban to outskirts of Farah city

Afghan commandos and the US Air Force have pushed the Taliban to the outskirts of Farah, officials said Wednesday. “The Taliban have retreated from the city and positioned their forces in the outskirts,” provincial council member Dadullah Qani told AFP from Farah on Wednesday. The statement came after a day-long battle to prevent the insurgents from seizing control of the western provincial capital. The US carried out drone strikes overnight and the Afghan army is still clearing the city, according to Afghan and NATO officials. Shops, offices and schools remained closed, with residents frightened to leave home. A NATO spokesman warned there could be more fighting Wednesday.