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US Admits Taliban Offensive Is Whittling IS's Grip on Afghanistan

Jeff Seldin

   Almost a week since the Afghan Taliban trumpeted the defeat of the
   Islamic State in Afghanistan's Kunar province, U.S. officials remain
   wary, though they concede the terror group's grip on territory in rural
   areas appears to be slipping.

   The latest assessment is consistent with U.S. appraisals of previous
   claims by both Taliban and Afghan government officials, which they say,
   while based in fact, have at times overstated gains against one of the
   Islamic State's most resilient and dangerous affiliates.

   "The Taliban's campaign against ISIS-Khorasan in Kunar province is
   consistent with Taliban public statements to rout the group from
   Afghanistan," a U.S. counterterrorism official told VOA, using an
   acronym for the terror group.

   "ISIS-Khorasan has continued to face pressure from the Taliban in Kunar
   province this year," the official said, cautioning, "Recent attacks in
   Kabul claimed by ISIS-Khorasan indicate the group is still active and
   capable of conducting attacks in urban centers."

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