Afghanistan continues to be a risky place, the White House said on Tuesday as an American soldier was killed and two others were injured in a fighting in the war-torn country.
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A US official described the “harrowing” scene to Fox News, saying there were enemy forces surrounding the compound in which the special operations team sought refuge.
“We can confirm the wounded have been evacuated”, Colonel Michael Lawhorn, a spokesman for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation forces in Afghanistan, told AFP.
In a brief written statement announcing the three USA casualties, the US military command in Kabul said one died of wounds sustained “during operations” in Marja, and that two were wounded.
Afghan forces are now fighting to repel Taliban militants who in recent weeks have seized large swathes of the key opium-rich district of Sangin in the southern province of Helmand, a traditional stronghold of the insurgents.
Cook said the fight is still ongoing and some American forces may still be in danger.
Two HH-60 Pave Hawk Medevac helicopters were sent to provide assistance, according to Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook.
The damaged aircraft was unable to take off and remained on the ground, officials said.
“The situation in Helmand and throughout Afghanistan remains challenging”. The other chopper had a “hard landing” and was disabled when its rotors hit a wall.
One of the helicopters was waved off because of small-arms and mortar fire on the ground, the officials said.
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A Pentagon report released last month concluded security in Afghanistan is worsening as Taliban attacks increase, and along with them, Afghan military and civilian casualties. The troops are said to be deployed around the town of Marjah, and accompanying Afghan forces.
