ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

US Drops 'Largest Non-Nuclear Bomb' In Afghanistan In ISIS Controlled Area

US Drops 'Largest Non-Nuclear Bomb' In Afghanistan In ISIS Controlled Area

The Pentagon confirmed the strike.

Josh Teal

Josh Teal

The largest 'non-nuclear bomb' has been dropped in an area of Afghanistan populated by ISIS members by the US.

The Pentagon confirmed the strike, saying it was the first time the 21,000lb weapon had been used in combat.

A US Department of Defence spokesperson told The Independent that a MC-130 aircraft dropped a GBU-43 bomb at 7pm local time.

The weapon is known by the US Air Force as the 'mother of all bombs' or MOAB for short. It officially stands for 'massive ordinance air blast.'

A CNN report said the bomb was targeting Islamic State tunnels and fighters in the Achin district of Nangarhar Province.

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Rick Francona told CNN the blast 'would feel like a nuclear weapon to anyone near the area'.

During his daily press briefing with Capitol Hill reporters, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said ISIS fighters use the Afghan tunnel complex to 'move around freely'.

He added that in order to defeat the Islamic State, the US must deny it operational space.

He said the military did what it would to avoid civilian casualties and collateral damage.

The Pentagon said the strike was "designed to minimize the risk to Afghan and U.S. Forces conducting clearing operations in the area while maximizing the destruction of ISIS-K fighters and facilities."

Source: Independent, CNN, and CNBC

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Bomb, US