President Obama has quietly ordered an expanded role for US troops in Afghanistan through 2015, including permission to target Taliban fighters in the war-torn country.

Earlier plans had limited US soldiers to counterterrorism strikes against al Qaeda after this year.

The decision won’t affect the total number of US troops in Afghanistan, which will be about 9,800 by year’s end and half that by the end of 2015.

The earlier plan would have only allowed attacks on Taliban if they threatened US forces or gave direct support to al Qaeda.

“To the extent that Taliban members directly threaten the United States and coalition forces in Afghanistan or provide direct support to al Qaeda, however, we will take appropriate measures to keep Americans safe,” a US official said.

The Taliban is much more powerful in Afghanistan than al Qaeda.

The president’s decision was made after military commanders said they wanted to be able to continue battling the Taliban.

The president wants all US troops out of Afghanistan by 2016 when his presidency will come to an end.

The US war in Afghanistan began in 2001 and has resulted in more than 3,400 US and coalition casualties.