A U.S. military spokesman says three American troops have been killed in two blasts in military news Afghanistan.
Navy Chief Petty Officer Brian Naranjo says the attacks happened on Saturday.
Southern Afghanistan is the center of the Taliban-led insurgency, which has made a violent comeback since its initial defeat in the U.S.-led invasion. Thousands of U.S. Marines and British troops are conducting anti-Taliban operations in the region ahead of this month’s presidential elections.
Separately, a French soldier was killed and two others were wounded during a clash with insurgents north of Kabul, the French military said in a statement.
The number of U.S. and other NATO killed in bombing and clashes has soared this year.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
KABUL (AP) — NATO says three of its troops were killed in two roadside blasts in southern Afghanistan.
The military alliance says the blasts hit their patrol on Saturday. It did not provide details on the nationalities of the victims or the exact location of the blast.
The number of NATO and other foreign troops killed in clashes and bombing has soared this year. With 74 foreign troops killed, July was the deadliest month for foreign troops since the start of the war in 2001.
Southern Afghanistan is the center of the Taliban-led insurgency, which has made a violent comeback since its initial defeat in the U.S.-led invasion. Thousands of U.S. Marines and British troops are conducting anti-Taliban operations in the region ahead of this month’s presidential elections.
