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IED Casualties in Afghanistan Soaring

75% of coalition deaths result from roadside explosives

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 3, 2009 5:51 AM CDT

(Newser) – Improvised roadside bombs caused 75% of all casualties among coalition forces in Afghanistan in the first two months of this year, up from 50% two years ago, reports USA Today. The rate of casualties from IEDs is also higher than at any time in Iraq, calling for urgent pleas for more armored vehicles. Robert Gates, the defense secretary, meets today with a task force aiming to speed mine-resistant vehicles to troops.

IEDs in Afghanistan are not only more numerous but more powerful, and commanders estimate they will need more than 3,000 specially equipped vehicles to combat the new threat. According to a Pentagon document, while the use of IEDs is still rising, insurgents in Afghanistan are also relying on direct fire, ambushes and rocket-propelled grenades. Coalition forces have suffered a record 800 attacks a month in 2009, up from 600 in 2008.

A U.S. soldier of B Company, 4th Infantry Regiment patrols after an IED went off near Daychopan village in Zabul province, southeastern Afghanistan, Thursday, April 5, 2007. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

IEDs now account for 75% of all coalition casualties in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Honor guard members carry the casket of Army Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey D. Kettle, 31, of Madill, Okla., who was killed by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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IED Casualties in Afghanistan Soaring

75% of coalition deaths result from roadside explosives

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Pentagon Will Fill Civilian Jobs in Afghanistan

Reservists to fill up to 300 positions intended for nonmilitary experts

Pentagon Downplays 13K Surge in Afghan Support Troops

Extra thousands swell US numbers in Afghanistan

Afghan Taliban Have Momentum: Gates

Defense sec says US has months before support wanes

Pentagon Plans Afghan Surge of 20,000

Commanders say extra 20,000 troops will quell rising Taliban violence

Pentagon Will Keep Extending Soldiers' Tours

Military will deny exit to some 12K a month through 2009

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IED Casualties in Afghanistan Soaring

75% of coalition deaths result from roadside explosives

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Afghanistan • Pentagon • Robert Gates • US military • IED • Department of Defense • Afghanistan war

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Pentagon Will Fill Civilian Jobs in Afghanistan

Reservists to fill up to 300 positions intended for nonmilitary experts

Pentagon Downplays 13K Surge in Afghan Support Troops

Extra thousands swell US numbers in Afghanistan

Afghan Taliban Have Momentum: Gates

Defense sec says US has months before support wanes

Pentagon Plans Afghan Surge of 20,000

Commanders say extra 20,000 troops will quell rising Taliban violence

Pentagon Will Keep Extending Soldiers' Tours

Military will deny exit to some 12K a month through 2009

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

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Tools

More News

What is Newser?