Wire: August Poised for Deadliest Month Yet in Afghanistan

Off the Wire:

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2009 -- Newswire services this morning reported that a U.S. servicemember died Thursday in a militant attack involving a roadside bomb and gunfire, a death that pushed August into a tie with July as the deadliest months of the eight-year war.

The Associated Press said the death brings to 44 the number of U.S. troops who have died in Afghanistan this month. But with four days left in the month, August could set a new record.

More than 60,000 U.S. troops are now in the country -- a record number -- to combat the rising insurgency. The number of roadside bombs deployed by militants across the country has skyrocketed.

AP also noted that violence is on the rise in Afghanistan even as it falls in Iraq, where nearly twice as many U.S. troops are still based. Five U.S. troops have died in Iraq this month, three fewer than in July.

A statement from the NATO-led force in Kabul said the U.S. service member died in southern Afghanistan when the troop's patrol responded to the bombing and gunfire attack. No other details were released.

See link below for details.

(Report from newswire sources.)

Source: August tied for deadliest month in Afghanistan

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