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Five French soldiers killed in Afghanistan
First published Jul 13 2011 07:12PM
Updated Jul 13, 2011 07:29PM
Kabul • A suicide bombing killed five French soldiers in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, representing one of France’s largest one-day losses of the war.
The attack took place in the Tagab district of Kapisa province, said provincial spokesman Sabor Wafa. NATO confirmed the deaths of five service members without specifying the nationality; French officials subsequently said the slain troops were French.
France has said it will begin a phased withdrawal of its troops in Afghanistan.
Eastern Afghanistan, particularly the area close to the border with Pakistan, has been increasingly violent in recent weeks, with fighting between NATO troops and insurgents compounded by cross-border artillery fire from Pakistan.
Also Wednesday, Western military officials reported that another military death occurred a day earlier in the south of Afghanistan.
The upsurge in violence comes as U.S. commanders prepare to begin a drawdown of American forces. Ten thousand troops are to depart before the end of the year, and another 23,000 are to leave next year.
The Los Angeles Times
Five French soldiers killed in Afghanistan
First published Jul 13 2011 07:12PM
Updated Jul 13, 2011 07:29PM
Kabul • A suicide bombing killed five French soldiers in eastern Afghanistan on Wednesday, representing one of France’s largest one-day losses of the war.
The attack took place in the Tagab district of Kapisa province, said provincial spokesman Sabor Wafa. NATO confirmed the deaths of five service members without specifying the nationality; French officials subsequently said the slain troops were French.
France has said it will begin a phased withdrawal of its troops in Afghanistan.
Eastern Afghanistan, particularly the area close to the border with Pakistan, has been increasingly violent in recent weeks, with fighting between NATO troops and insurgents compounded by cross-border artillery fire from Pakistan.
Also Wednesday, Western military officials reported that another military death occurred a day earlier in the south of Afghanistan.
The upsurge in violence comes as U.S. commanders prepare to begin a drawdown of American forces. Ten thousand troops are to depart before the end of the year, and another 23,000 are to leave next year.
The Los Angeles Times