KABUL — An American service member died in a bomb blast in Afghanistan on Friday, the military said, making August the deadliest month of the eight-year war for U.S. forces.
The service member's vehicle struck a roadside bomb in eastern Afghanistan, NATO forces said. U.S. forces spokeswoman Capt. Elizabeth Mathias confirmed the nationality but did not provide further details.
The death brings to 45 the number of U.S. troops who have died in Afghanistan this month, surpassing the 44 troops killed in July.
More than 60,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan — a record number — to fight rising insurgent violence.
Attacks typically rise in the country during the summer fighting season, and U.S. 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.
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In photo: International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) vehicles are seen next to the site of a roadside bomb blast on the outskirts of Kandahar town, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009. One ISAF soldier was wounded after their convoy was targeted by the mine. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The service member's vehicle struck a roadside bomb in eastern Afghanistan, NATO forces said. U.S. forces spokeswoman Capt. Elizabeth Mathias confirmed the nationality but did not provide further details.
The death brings to 45 the number of U.S. troops who have died in Afghanistan this month, surpassing the 44 troops killed in July.
More than 60,000 U.S. troops are in Afghanistan — a record number — to fight rising insurgent violence.
Attacks typically rise in the country during the summer fighting season, and U.S. 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.
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In photo: International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) vehicles are seen next to the site of a roadside bomb blast on the outskirts of Kandahar town, Afghanistan, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2009. One ISAF soldier was wounded after their convoy was targeted by the mine. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti)
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
