Taliban fighters attack US base, French troops in Afghanistan
Washington, 19 August (IranVNC)—Violence erupted in eastern Afghanistan early today when Taliban insurgents attacked a US military base, killing at least 13 people. Meanwhile, 10 French soldiers were killed outside of Kabul in the deadliest battle for French troops since 2001.
By: IranVNC
Published: Tuesday, August 19, 2008
16:12 GMT—12:12PM/EST
TALIBAN – AFGHANISTAN – FRENCH TROOPS – US
Washington, 19 August (IranVNC)—Violence erupted in eastern Afghanistan early today when Taliban insurgents attacked a US military base, killing at least 13 people. Meanwhile, 10 French soldiers were killed outside of Kabul in the deadliest battle for French troops since 2001.
This US base, the largest US base in Afghanistan, located near the Pakistani border, was stormed by nearly 30 Taliban insurgents. Many of the fighters were killed, either by their own suicide attacks or by explosions and gunfire, AFP reports.
As the battle at the US base waged near the border, French troops were ambushed by Taliban fighters yesterday near Kabul. The French soldiers killed were part of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force [ISAF], which has nearly 1,670 troops fighting alongside the US-led NATO forces in Afghanistan.
France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy is travelling to Afghanistan today in response to the attack, his office said, according to Reuters.
"My determination is intact. France is determined to continue the struggle against terrorism for democracy and freedom. The cause is just," Sarkozy said in the statement.
Before today’s battle 12 French soldiers had been killed in Afghanistan since the NATO forces took over after the US and British forces deposed the ruling Taliban. Western forces ousted the Taliban for refusing to give up al-Qaida leaders responsible for the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.
Sources: Reuters, Agence France-Presse
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