WASHINGTON—One U.S. service member was killed and two were wounded in hours-long fighting Tuesday in southern Afghanistan, where Taliban insurgents have made recent inroads.
The fighting, which reflects intensified efforts by the U.S. and its Afghan partners to push back against Taliban gains, was near the city of Marja, Helmand province, which shares a border with Pakistan. The Taliban in recent weeks have focused their efforts on retaking parts of Helmand, and the U.S. has countered with U.S. special operations forces working with Afghan troops.
Details on the battle were sketchy.
“There is still a fight going on,” Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said hours after the casualties were sustained. “We don’t yet have all the details surrounding what has taken place.”
