At least 20 airstrikes have been launched by US against Daesh in Afghanistan

The US forces have increased air raids on the loyalists of the terror group after the Obama administration granted new authority last month, allowing the U.S. commanders in Afghanistan launch airstrikes against militants in the same way that the military targets fighters linked to al-Qaida.

The move by the Obama administration followed shortly after the U.S. Department of State designated the Khorasan branch of the Daesh group as a terrorist organization.

According to the US officials quoted by The Associated Press, the airstrikes were carried out in eastern parts of the country in the past three weeks. Khaama press reported.

There have been growing concerns that the loyalists of the terror group are attempting to expand foothold in the country as they try to establish a regional base of operations in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.

Army Brig. Gen. Wilson A. Shoffner told reporters that 1,000 to 3,000 Daesh fighters in eastern Afghanistan are trying to establish a base of operations in the rugged mountains of Nangahar Province.

He said the loyalists of the terror group are operating in four or five remote districts of Nangarhar province.

“We’re seeing Daesh attempting to establish a base of operations there,” he said. “Afghan security forces have had quite a bit of success against them,” Gen. Shoffner said.