UP Ibalon Bicol: 8 US soldiers die in heavy fighting in Afghanistan

8 US soldiers die in heavy fighting in Afghanistan

10/05/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The fierce fighting which lasted for a day in the border of Afghanistan and Pakistan brought death to 8 American soldiers. About 300 heavily armed Taliban militants attacked a Nato outpost at the foothills of Nuristan province, a known Taliban-Al Qaeda stronghold. The attack was considered among the worst encounters in the last 14 months.

“This is the second-deadliest attack U.S-led coalition forces have suffered in the region in more than a year. Nine American soldiers were killed when their newly set up outpost in the area was raided by Taliban fighters in July 2008. Insurgents have stepped up attacks in eastern Afghanistan recently in an effort to spread the violence beyond their traditional strongholds in the south.’----VOA (10/04/09, Gul, A.)

The attack came at a time when Pres. Barack Obama is being criticized for sidelining the Afghanistan-Iraq war in favor of less urgent issues like pitching for the Chicago in the Olympic bidding last week. General Stanley McChrystal, commander of the 100,000-strong US and Nato force in Afghanistan had requested for 40,000 extra troops to beef up the forces against Taliban and Al Qaeda. (Photo Credit: Pan Africn Wire Service) =0=

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LABEL: war, Al Qaeda, Taliban, Afghanistan, Pakistan, casualty, killings, Totie Mesia