Post by Admin on Apr 9, 2019 23:37:38 GMT
Four killed in attack on US convoy in Afghanistan
"The wounded service members were evacuated and are receiving medical care," Resolute Support said in a statement.
Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O'Rourke tweeted his condolences, saying: "Our thoughts are with the families of the three service members killed today in Afghanistan."
The blast brings to seven the number of US troops killed in Afghanistan so far this year, compared to 12 killed in all of 2018.
Still, American casualties have fallen dramatically since the end of 2014, when Afghan forces took over from US-led NATO combat troops to secure the country.
The US now has some 14,000 troops in Afghanistan - down from a peak of around 100,000 - most of them deployed to train and advise Afghan counterparts.
Nearly 2,300 American soldiers have died and more than 20,400 have been wounded in the country since a US-led coalition ousted the Taliban in 2001.
While parts of Afghanistan including Kabul have experienced something of a lull in attacks in recent weeks, US and Afghan forces have stepped up attacks on the Taliban across the country.
SPRING OFFENSIVE EXPECTED
Afghans, meanwhile, are on high alert for a new round of violence when the militants kick off their expected spring offensive.
They typically declare a new fighting season as winter snows melt, and have in the past sought to gain control of district centres and to target government facilities.
Taliban leaders are set to meet with Afghan officials in Qatar next week for a fresh round of talks as the US tries to broker a peace deal.
Last week, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad called for a "comprehensive and inclusive" intra-Afghan dialogue between the government, women, youth and civil society.
The Taliban has until now refused to meet with the Kabul government, accusing it of being a puppet regime.
The diplomatic spat between Washington and Kabul came to a head last month when Afghanistan's national security advisor Hamdullah Mohib accused Khalilzad of a lack of "transparency", even suggesting the Afghan-born envoy wanted to be "viceroy" of his native country.
Washington reacted furiously, with US officials reportedly refusing to attend meetings in which Mohib was present. The outspoken advisor visited eastern provinces when Khalilzad was in Kabul.
Source: AFP/de
"The wounded service members were evacuated and are receiving medical care," Resolute Support said in a statement.
Democratic presidential hopeful Beto O'Rourke tweeted his condolences, saying: "Our thoughts are with the families of the three service members killed today in Afghanistan."
The blast brings to seven the number of US troops killed in Afghanistan so far this year, compared to 12 killed in all of 2018.
Still, American casualties have fallen dramatically since the end of 2014, when Afghan forces took over from US-led NATO combat troops to secure the country.
The US now has some 14,000 troops in Afghanistan - down from a peak of around 100,000 - most of them deployed to train and advise Afghan counterparts.
Nearly 2,300 American soldiers have died and more than 20,400 have been wounded in the country since a US-led coalition ousted the Taliban in 2001.
While parts of Afghanistan including Kabul have experienced something of a lull in attacks in recent weeks, US and Afghan forces have stepped up attacks on the Taliban across the country.
SPRING OFFENSIVE EXPECTED
Afghans, meanwhile, are on high alert for a new round of violence when the militants kick off their expected spring offensive.
They typically declare a new fighting season as winter snows melt, and have in the past sought to gain control of district centres and to target government facilities.
Taliban leaders are set to meet with Afghan officials in Qatar next week for a fresh round of talks as the US tries to broker a peace deal.
Last week, US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad called for a "comprehensive and inclusive" intra-Afghan dialogue between the government, women, youth and civil society.
The Taliban has until now refused to meet with the Kabul government, accusing it of being a puppet regime.
The diplomatic spat between Washington and Kabul came to a head last month when Afghanistan's national security advisor Hamdullah Mohib accused Khalilzad of a lack of "transparency", even suggesting the Afghan-born envoy wanted to be "viceroy" of his native country.
Washington reacted furiously, with US officials reportedly refusing to attend meetings in which Mohib was present. The outspoken advisor visited eastern provinces when Khalilzad was in Kabul.
Source: AFP/de
