KABUL – The US military’s “Mother Of All Bombs” killed at least 36 militants as it targeted a deep tunnel network of the Islamic State group, Afghan officials claimed on Friday, ruling out any civilian casualties.
Mother of All Bombs being dropped in Yemen
On Thursday, the largest non-nuclear bomb GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast hit IS hideouts in Achin district in eastern Nangarhar province.
“As a result of the bombing, key Daesh (IS) hideouts and deep tunnel complex were vapourised and 36 IS militants were killed,” the defence ministry said in a statement.
US President Donald Trump had earlier termed the mission “very, very successful”.
The Afghan presidential palace said precautions were taken to avoid civilian casualties.
According to Pentagon spokesman Adam Stump, it was the first time this type of bomb containing 11 tons of explosive had been used in combat and was dropped from a MC-130 aircraft.
Nangarhar, which borders Pakistan, is a haven of IS militancy. US forces have conducted a number of air strikes on jihadist bases in the area since August last year.
