Four NATO Deaths Make 2009 Deadliest Year in Afghanistan
By VOA News
25 August 2009
NATO officials say a bomb blast has killed four U.S. service members in southern Afghanistan, making 2009 the deadliest year for coalition forces in the country since the U.S.-led invasion eight years ago.
The deaths Tuesday bring the number of foreign troops who died in Afghanistan this year to 295. Last year was previously the deadliest year with 294 killed.
Thousands of U.S. Marines, British and Afghan troops began an offensive against Taliban militants in southern Afghanistan before the August 20 presidential and provincial elections.
Afghanistan's election commission says it will release partial results Tuesday, but complete nationwide results will not be known for another 10 days.
As people await the official results, the country's finance minister, Hazrat Omr Zakhilwal, claimed clear victory for incumbent President Hamid Karzai.
Zakhilwal said Monday the president received 68 percent of the vote.
A spokesman for Mr. Karzai's top challenger, former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, rejected that claim.
The United Nations special envoy to Afghanistan, Kai Eide, has appealed for patience as Afghan officials investigate accusations of voter fraud.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
