August Deadliest Month for US in Afghanistan

By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Aug 28, 2009 10:18 AM CDT
August Deadliest Month for US in Afghanistan
US Marine Cpl. Russell pays his respects to Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard during a memorial service at a forward operating base Thursday in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

A bomb blast in Afghanistan killed an American service member today, making August the deadliest month of the 8-year war for US forces. The service member's vehicle struck a roadside bomb in eastern Afghanistan, NATO forces said, bringing the number of troops killed in August to 45, one more than the total in July.

More than 60,000 US troops are in Afghanistan—a record number—to fight rising insurgent violence. Attacks typically rise in the country during the summer fighting season, and US officials had warned that violence was likely to increase as 21,000 additional troops poured in this summer. The forces have faced a surge in roadside bombs as they move into Taliban strongholds in the south. (More Afghanistan stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X