US President Joe Biden has ordered B-52 bombers and Spectre gunships to focus on Taliban terrorists in Afghanistan who’re advancing in direction of three key cities.Â
The Chilly Battle-era strategic bomber first flew within the Fifties however remains to be used as a result of its 70,000lb payload and vary of greater than 8,000 miles.Â
They’re being supported by the AC-130 Spectre gunships that are armed with a 25mm Gatling gun, a 40mm Bofors cannon and a 105mm M102 cannon – which may present pinpoint correct hearth from the air. Â
The B-52 bomber can carry as much as 32 tonnes of munitions and has a spread of 8,800 milesÂ
The AC-130 Spectre gunship has a 25mm Gatling gun, a 40mm Bofors cannon and a 105mm cannon – making it an aerial artillery platformÂ
The AC-130 is designed to supply shut air assist for floor troops by bringing devastating hearth on enemy positions
The Taliban have been advancing throughout Afghanistan after the US-led coalition pulled out of the conflict torn nation, leaving the nation’s struggling defence forces to take care of the terrorists.  Â
Earlier right now, the Taliban captured Sheberghan metropolis in Jawzjan, the realm’s deputy governor confirmed to AFP.Â
It’s the second provincial capital to fall to the insurgents over the previous 24 hours.Â
Qader Malia, Jawzjan deputy governor mentioned: ‘The (authorities) forces and officers have retreated to the airport.’Â
The Afghan air drive is reliant on US provided plane and helicopters which are actually working out of spares and educated technicians because the withdrawal of American contractors.Â
US defence sources informed The Instances that the B-52s and AC-130s are focusing on insurgents round Kandahar, Herat and Lashkar Gar in Helmand Province.Â
The B-52s are working out of Qatar, whereas the plane provider USS Ronald Reagan is on deployment within the Arabian Sea. The nuclear powered warship has a fleet of F/A-18 Tremendous Hornets.Â
The Afghan Air Power is provided with some turbo-prop gentle assault plane such because the A-29 Tremendous Tucano, although solely 30 pilots have been certified since 2015.Â
The ultimate US navy personnel are as a result of be withdrawn from Afghanistan on August 31, which has led to the Taliban offensive.Â
The B-52 Stratofortress: America’s long-range strategic bomber
A US Air Power B-52 Stratofortress heavy bomber drops bombs on this undated file photograph
The US Air Power at present has 76 B-52 Stratofortress bombers in service right now.
Designed and constructed by the Seattle-based Boeing Firm, the B-52 is a long-range strategic bomber that has been utilized by the Air Power because the Fifties.
It’s able to carrying as much as 70,000 kilos of weapons whereas flying at a fight vary of greater than 8,800 miles with out aerial refueling.
This heavy bomber is powered by 8 turbofan engines manufactured by Pratt & Whitney.
Every engine is able to producing 17,000 kilos of thrust to propel the airplane ahead within the air.
The B-52 additionally boasts a wingspan of 185ft. Every plane has a size measuring 159ft4in.
The airplane stands at a peak of 40ft8in.
The plane weighs roughly 185,000 kilos. It might take off at a most weight of 488,000 kilos.
To fly its long-range bombing missions, it wants gasoline – plenty of it.
Every B-52 has a gasoline capability of 312,197 kilos.
The airplane is a subsonic plane that may attain speeds of 650mph.
It might additionally fly at a prime altitude of fifty,000ft.
Supply: Boeing CompanyÂ
Because of the deteriorating safety state of affairs, the Authorities has suggested all UK nationals in Afghanistan to depart the nation instantly as a result of ‘worsening safety state of affairs’.Â
The International, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace’s web site was up to date on Friday, advising in opposition to all journey to Afghanistan.
The change in recommendation comes within the face of rising turmoil in Afghanistan, as Taliban forces sweep throughout the nation.
The recommendation on the web site states:Â ‘All British nationals in Afghanistan are suggested to depart now by business means.Â
Authorities has suggested UK nationals in Afghanistan to depart as a result of ‘worsening safety state of affairs’. Pictured:Â Afghan militia assist Afghanistan safety forces in opposition to the Taliban
‘If you’re nonetheless in Afghanistan, you might be suggested to depart now by business means due to the worsening safety state of affairs.
‘The extent of consular help the British Embassy can present in Afghanistan is extraordinarily restricted, together with in a disaster. Don’t depend on the FCDO having the ability to evacuate you from Afghanistan in an emergency.
‘In arranging your departure from Afghanistan, guarantee your journey paperwork are updated and that you’ve got the mandatory visas for onward journey.’
It added: ‘Terrorists are very prone to attempt to perform assaults in Afghanistan. Particular strategies of assault are evolving and growing in sophistication.
‘You need to notice an general elevated menace to Western pursuits in Kabul. Comply with the directions of native authorities. There’s a excessive menace of kidnapping all through the nation.’
Afghanistan was already on the Authorities’s journey pink listing amid of the nation’s coronavirus state of affairs, however preventing has additionally intensified in latest days.
The International, Commonwealth and Growth Workplace’s web site (pictured) was up to date on Friday, advising in opposition to all journey to Afghanistan
The change in recommendation comes within the face of rising turmoil in Afghanistan, as Taliban forces sweep throughout the nation. Pictured: Afghan safety forces as website of automobile bomb blast in Kabul
On Friday, the Taliban assassinated a senior Afghan authorities official inside his automobile within the capital Kabul because it steps up its bloody drive to recapture the nation.
Dawa Khan Menapal, head of the federal government’s media data centre, was shot useless close to a mosque within the metropolis on Friday, only a day after defence minister Bismillah Mohammadi escaped a bomb and gun assault.
Menapal’s assassination is probably the most high-profile killing the Taliban has carried out in the course of the most-recent marketing campaign, and exhibits it is ready to function inside Kabul – one of many few cities that isn’t but below direct assault. Â
‘He (Menapal) was a younger man who stood like a mountain within the face of enemy propaganda, and who was all the time a serious supporter of the (Afghan) regime,’ mentioned Mirwais Stanikzai, a spokesperson of the inside ministry.Â
Late on Tuesday, the assault on Mohammadi in a closely guarded upmarket Kabul neighbourhood killed a minimum of eight individuals and wounded 20. The minister was unhurt.
In the meantime, the group’s Islamist fighters captured their first regional capital – Zaranj, in Nimroz province close to Iran – marking their most-significant battlefield victory in opposition to authorities forces to this point.Â
Residents in Helmand’s contested provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, mentioned airstrikes destroyed a market within the centre of the town — an space managed by the Taliban. Afghan officers say the Taliban now management 9 out of the ten districts of the town.Â
Social media was additionally stuffed with movies of the devastating toll the preventing has taken within the southern metropolis of Lashkar Gah, with posts exhibiting a serious market space in flames.
Dawa Khan Menapal was shot useless on Friday, after minister Bismillah Mohammadi escaped a bomb assault. Pictured: Afghan safety at scene of bomb explosion in Kabul on August 4
The Taliban additionally captured its first regional capital – the town of Zaranj, in Nimroz province close to the border with Iran, because it pushed to retake management of the nationÂ
Support group Motion Towards Starvation mentioned its workplaces had been hit by an ‘aerial bomb’ within the metropolis earlier this week, based on an announcement launched by the organisation on Friday.
‘The constructing was marked from the road and roof as a non-governmental (NGO) organisation, and the workplace location has been communicated typically to the events concerned within the battle,’ mentioned the group, including that no employees had been harmed.
Within the western metropolis of Herat, a gradual stream of individuals had been leaving their houses in anticipation of a authorities assault on positions held by the Taliban.
‘We fully evacuated,’ mentioned Ahmad Zia, who lived within the western a part of the town.
‘We now have nothing left and we have no idea the place to go,’ he informed AFP.Â
American forces are actually sending B-52 bombers, AC-130 gunships and Reaper drones to attempt to push the jihadists again from different capitals reminiscent of Lashkar Gah, Herat and Kandahar, which have come below heavy assault in latest days.Â
It seems America’s hand has been compelled after the Afghan airforce all-but collapsed after Joe Biden ordered US forces overseas earlier this yr.
The troops took with them a military of contractors that had been getting used to keep up the helicopters and jets Afghan pilots had been hoping to make use of to defend in opposition to the Taliban assault.
American forces are actually sending B-52 bombers, AC-130 gunships and Reaper drones to attempt to push the jihadists again from Herat. Pictured Afghan authorities forces in Herat
Residents in Helmand’s contested provincial capital, Lashkar Gah, mentioned airstrikes destroyed a market within the centre of the town – an space managed by the Taliban
Afghan authorities forces in Herat, one of many few regional capitals holding out properly in opposition to the Islamists who’re attacking in drive throughout the nation
Greater than a 3rd of the drive’s 162 plane are considered out of motion as a result of a restore blacklog and lack of spare components.
Pilots – who’ve additionally been focused for execution by the Taliban – are mentioned to be exhausted and demoralised as a result of continuous missions, whereas munitions are additionally working low.
The Taliban have rapidly recaptured a lot of Afghanistan behind the backs of withdrawing US and NATO forces, who started departing the nation earlier this yr after twenty years of preventing. Â
As a consequence of be full by the top of August, actually sources on the bottom say the withdrawal is in-effect full already.
President Ashraf Ghani has put the Taliban’s fast advance right down to pulling his forces again into cities that are simpler to defend and essential for management of the nation. Â
The Taliban already management massive parts of the countryside, and are actually difficult authorities forces in a number of provincial capitals.Â
Ex-British forces interpreters residing below Taliban demise sentences cry with pleasure as main breakthroughs are secured to allow them to dwell in Britain
Former British forces interpreters residing below Taliban demise sentences wept with pleasure final evening after the Day by day Mail secured essential new breakthroughs from the Defence Secretary to allow them to dwell in Britain.
In an unique interview, Ben Wallace confirmed that ex-Particular Forces translators trapped in so-called ‘third nations’ had been cleared to return right here.
They’d been anticipated to return to Afghanistan to submit their functions – a requirement that would show deadly given their earlier employment.
In an unique interview, Ben Wallace (pictured) confirmed that ex-Particular Forces translators trapped in so-called ‘third nations’ had been cleared to return right here
This information is gorgeousÂ
Former translators trapped in different nations after fleeing the Taliban mentioned information that their circumstances might be processed in these locations was ‘stunning, uplifting and proper’.
One, Nabi, has lived as a refugee in Greece since 2018 whereas his spouse and 4 youngsters are in Afghanistan.
The 35-year-old, who spent 4 years serving with the British navy on the entrance line, mentioned: ‘This resolution may save the lives of my household as a result of they don’t seem to be protected from the Taliban on account of my work for UK forces. To have my case handled in Athens lifts a heavy load from me.’
Nabi (pictured), has lived as a refugee in Greece since 2018 whereas his spouse and 4 youngsters are in Afghanistan
Final evening, translators and campaigners welcomed the breakthroughs, which got here because the Defence Secretary is poised to personally adjudicate in 88 extremely contentious circumstances below the Afghan Relocations and Help Coverage (ARAP) scheme. This caseload contains interpreters dealing with reprisals from the Taliban who had been beforehand rejected below ARAP, and a few who had been ‘terminated’ by British forces for minor offences.
Mr Wallace, who in latest months has taken motion that may see 1000’s of weak Afghans dropped at Britain, informed the Mail he would have a look at these people ‘with a sympathetic eye’ given the nation’s dramatically deteriorating safety state of affairs.
The Taliban has gained a sequence of devastating victories following the withdrawal of US and UK troops.
Because the new ARAP pointers had been launched in April, 1,400 Afghans – together with greater than 300 households – have arrived within the UK on 9 specifically chartered ‘freedom flights’. An extra 14 flights, carrying round 1,700 extra Afghans, are as a result of arrive within the UK within the coming weeks.
Following the newest concessions gained by the Mail, interpreters who labored for Particular Forces will have the ability to come to Britain. They had been beforehand rejected below the ARAP scheme as a result of points with their contracts.
They labored at Camp Juno, dwelling to the elite Activity Power 444, which labored on top-secret operations that included working spies contained in the Taliban. The refusal to grant sanctuary to round a dozen males enraged many UK commanders who recognised their exceptional bravery and talent.
The Camp Juno interpreters might be joined by translators beforehand trapped in ‘third nations’.
Having fled Afghanistan, they felt it was too harmful to return there to use for sanctuary – however this stipulation has now been revoked. Mr Wallace mentioned: ‘We now have now appeared into these circumstances and we’re able to deliver these individuals again. I might be placing my signature to a listing of these Camp Juno interpreters on Monday.
‘I feel six have been authorised and 6 are pending.
‘This was a protracted course of as a result of there was not a lot paperwork to assist their functions and we had been required to seek out British officers who had labored with these interpreters to vouch for them.
‘We now have additionally now modified the legislation to make sure Afghans are now not required to return to the nation to submit their paperwork. Credit score for this initiative ought to go to the Residence Workplace. There are round 20 circumstances which may proceed following this alteration.
‘This coming week I may also adjudicate personally on 88 contentious circumstances, together with candidates who had been beforehand rejected by ARAP or had been terminated from service for a minor offence. I’ll have a look at these circumstances with a sympathetic eye and an understanding of the perilous state of affairs lots of them are in and their contribution to us. However I need to stability that, as will the Residence Secretary, with defending British safety.’ Final evening an interpreter trapped in Greece thanked the Authorities and the Mail for the elimination of ARAP standards which meant he would have needed to return to Afghanistan to submit his utility.
A matter of life or demiseÂ
The close-knit group of interpreters who labored with Particular Forces mentioned information that they are going to be allowed sanctuary was ‘life-saving’.
Habib, 39, who labored for the Triple 4 group at Camp Juno, Helmand, for 16 months, mentioned: ‘That is fantastic information and will actually be the distinction between life and demise. I thank the Defence Secretary for his compassion in making the appropriate determination – and particularly [the Mail] for elevating our voice and by no means giving up on us.’
They typically operated with the SAS and intelligence officers, making them a high-priority Taliban goal. Shane, 34, who labored at Juno from 2007 to 2010, mentioned the UK had recognised its ‘ethical obligation’. It’s understood 12 ex-translators and households are prone to be rescued.
Shut: The camp interpreters
Nabi, 35, who has lived there as a refugee since 2018, is certainly one of 20 former translators caught in Europe. Others are considered residing in India, Pakistan and Australia. Nabi, who has suffered demise threats, mentioned: ‘That is stunning and uplifting. This resolution may save the lives of my household.’ The strikes had been additionally welcomed final evening by retired Main Normal Charlie Herbert, a former commander of UK forces in Helmand who has campaigned for extra interpreters to return to Britain.
He mentioned: ‘I’m completely delighted with this determination. It has taken too lengthy to return, and solely serves to focus on the injustice of rejecting those that had been employed on third occasion contracts. I’m so grateful to the Day by day Mail for his or her assist to those males. I’m additionally grateful to the Defence Secretary and Residence Secretary for his or her assist – they’ve accomplished way over their predecessors.
‘However there may be nonetheless a lot extra to do; not least for these dismissed and people who the MoD considers to have been in non-exposed roles. The Taliban make no such distinction.’ Final week dozens of former British commanders wrote an open letter to the Prime Minister asking him to develop the ARAP scheme and warning that the UK would face ‘dishonour’ if any of its former translators had been killed by the Taliban.
Seven ex-Coalition translators are feared to have been murdered by the militants this yr.
However Mr Wallace hit again, suggesting they need to share the blame for any ARAP points as a result of his officers are being compelled to adjudicate on circumstances involving incomplete information and a scarcity of readability over the the reason why translators had been dismissed.
UK forces ‘terminated’ the employment of 35 per cent of its translators, in lots of circumstances with out due course of or the appropriate of enchantment. The Defence Secretary mentioned: ‘Funnily sufficient, the individuals in control of a few of these processes had been a few of those that wrote that letter.’
Mr Wallace additionally known as on councils to do extra to help weak Afghans. He mentioned 34 native authorities had declined to participate within the ARAP scheme, regardless that it prices them nothing.
‘A scarcity of housing means Afghan households might be put in massive motels, which isn’t ultimate.’Â
Now navy officers will overview Afghan translator’s rejected relocation bid as essential paperwork are offeredÂ
EXCLUSIVEÂ By David Williams and Mark Nicol for the Day by day Mail
Army officers are to overview the rejected relocation bid of an Afghan translator after the Day by day Mail offered essential paperwork in his favour.
Latif Hottak, 36, was denied the appropriate to return to the UK as a result of the Ministry of Defence mentioned he had been dismissed from his job as an interpreter in January 2011.
However wage information handed to the MoD increase disturbing questions concerning the case, and recommend that Latif was nonetheless working – and being paid – a yr later.
Each Latif and his brother, Rafi, himself a former supervisor of Afghan interpreters who now campaigns from the UK, have maintained that his position as an interpreter didn’t end till summer season 2012.
Entrance line: Latif Hottak, proper, with a colleague in Afghanistan
The emergence of the essential proof has severe implications for a lot of different ex-translators who’re in danger – together with their households – of Taliban revenge assaults.
Rafi, 34, who was blown up in a Helmand raid that killed a British officer, mentioned: ‘I welcome the overview, it is a vital step however there are numerous unanswered, unexplained questions on Latif’s case which could have devastating and doubtless finally deadly penalties if he’s wrongly denied relocation.’
He’s hoping Defence Secretary Ben Wallace will intervene following his promise to personally overview ‘contentious claims’.
In his letter, Rafi informed Mr Wallace he represented ‘a remaining probability of resolving a state of affairs that would result in my brother’s demise’ by the hands of the Taliban.
‘Trying from the skin, one thing seems very improper,’ he wrote.
Latif is languishing within the close to darkness of a Kabul basement – frightened, depressed and satisfied he might be left to the Taliban by the nation he risked his life for.
Rafi is hoping Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (pictured) will intervene following his promise to personally overview ‘contentious claims’
On the coronary heart of the case is a declare by the MoD that his employment was terminated for a severe offence in January 2011 whereas he was working at a particular forces base referred to as Fort Hunter.
The dismissal means he’s not entitled to relocate to the UK. However Latif insists he discovered about it solely final yr when he utilized to Britain for sanctuary.
Latif categorically denies the sacking in January 2011, as does Rafi, who insists it can’t be true as he was working with him till that June.
In a declare confirmed by officers within the UK, Latif says he continued to work till the summer season of 2012, and left solely when Fort Hunter was handed over to Afghan forces. Certificates from the time and a ‘pay log’ assist this, Rafi says.
Related Post
The Day by day Mail’s award-winning Betrayal of the Courageous marketing campaign has highlighted Latif’s case. This paper was informed his employment was terminated in January 2011 for serving to to supply false English check outcomes for Afghan troopers. Each Latif and Rafi are adamant that is unfaithful.
They’ve produced certificates from named officers praising Latif and his work, dated July 2011 and January 2012.
On the coronary heart of the case is a declare by the MoD that his employment was terminated for a severe offence in January 2011 whereas he was working at a particular forces base referred to as Fort Hunter. Pictured: File picture of the Ministry of Defence constructing in Whitehall, London
These had been put to the MoD and stay unexplained, though defence officers insist their information are right.
However the navy’s cost information recommend Latif was actually employed and paid throughout 2011.
His identify is the second of 21 on the pay listing, verified by his British navy identification quantity, his job and in a column marked ‘UK Prime Up Pay’ the sum of US$850.
The final of the varieties seen by the Mail is dated November 24 to December 23, 2011, apparently supporting the declare he was employed for a yr after he’s mentioned to have been sacked.
Rafi wrote: ‘For Latif and others that is actually a matter of life and demise, for the Authorities it’s a check of their ethical accountability and what Britain stands for.’
In the meantime, in Kabul, Latif waits questioning if what he says is the reality will emerge. He mentioned: ‘I really feel like giving up. I’m depressed, scared and dwell in hiding, I have no idea if I’ve a future however I would like the reality and to know why and the way this has occurred.
‘I’m being punished day-after-day and if I stay in Afghanistan it’s a matter of time earlier than the Taliban will come once more for me. My blood might be on their palms however some might be spilt on those that turned their backs.’
An MoD spokesman mentioned: ‘Each dismissal was for a sound purpose. The Afghan Relocations and Help Coverage permits officers to overview all circumstances of dismissal on a case-by-case foundation and relocate them if there aren’t any different considerations.
‘Those that had been dismissed for probably the most severe offences, together with people who represent a criminal offense within the UK, or could be a safety concern, is not going to be eligible for relocation.’
