The White House accorded new powers to US soldiers in Afghanistan to intensify their attacks on Islamic State jihadists there, reported the daily Washington Post quoting US officials.

‘The new rules of engagement were approved last week by the administration of Barack Obama and allow commanders of the military mission in Afghanistan to launch airstrikes against those suspected of belonging to the IS in the same way that they already do against Al Qaeda.’

‘In late 2014, the United States ended its combat mission in Afghanistan, transforming it into one of providing assistance and training — and undertaking counterterrorist actions — that is being broadened due to the resurgence of the Taliban and the appearance of IS jihadists in the Central Asian country.’

‘To date, US forces in Afghanistan could only conduct airstrikes in three situations: to protect international coalition forces, to aid Afghan troops or to kill Al Qaeda leaders.’

‘The United States in the past had attacked IS fighters in Afghanistan, albeit under the precept that they were preparing attacks or had hostile intentions, not simply due to their affiliation with the group.’

‘A spokesperson for the US mission in Afghanistan said at a Tuesday press conference that the IS is emerging as a force within the country, but it does not yet have the ability to launch attacks or occupy territory as it has done in Syria, Iraq and Libya.’