Obama arrived at Kabul International Airport on Saturday morning, but his itinerary was closely guarded for security reasons amid a surge in Taliban activity in recent weeks. Afghan and U.S. officials in Kabul confirmed that the Illinois senator was part of a congressional delegation visiting the country. But most declined to discuss whom he was scheduled to meet, with some denying that Obama was even in the country hours after he had landed.
Soon after his arrival, Obama flew by helicopter to the northeastern city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province to meet with U.S. soldiers at a base there, according to the Associated Press. His visit to the normally quiet province comes 12 days after at least 47 people were killed in a U.S.-led airstrike in the area that has fueled intense discussions about foreign military operations in Afghanistan. Afghan officials have said the majority killed in the bombing were women and children traveling in the area as part of a wedding party.
The Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked insurgents have regrouped in eastern Afghanistan, especially near the Pakistani border. Nangarhar's governor, Gul Agha Sherzai, a former warlord, briefed Obama and other members of the delegation about the situation there, according to Sherzai's chief of staff.
