Afghanistan: 27 British soldier killed since early July
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- The soldier, belonging to the 2nd Battalion of the Mercian Regiment, was killed during a foot patrol in eastern Gereshk in the province of Helmand, the MoD said in a statement.
The international force of NATO in Afghanistan (ISAF), which announced his death without giving the nationality of the soldier killed, said that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED).
Five British soldiers have now died in Afghanistan in August, against 22 in July, and 196 have died since the beginning of the conflict in 2001.
The south of Afghanistan is one of the strongholds of the Taliban, that the majority of U.S. troops, British and Canadian companies seeking to secure for the presidential and provincial elections of 20 August
This death brings to 20 the number of foreign soldiers killed since early August, depending on the dedicated website icasualties.org, confirming the strong growth seen this summer. Most were victims of bombs rebels.
The 100,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, including 62,000 Americans, have lost 76 soldiers in July, a record since their arrival in the country to oust the Taliban from power in late 2001, according to icasualties.org.
Since early summer, foreign troops have intensified their operations against insurgent strongholds, particularly in the south and east of the country in anticipation of elections on 20 August, while the insurgents have increased the frequency of their attacks.
The increase in losses in the British ranks in recent weeks has been attributed to the "Panther Claw" major offensive launched in late June against the Taliban in the south.
About 9,000 British soldiers are stationed in Afghanistan, a commitment that is increasingly unpopular in the United Kingdom.
Ennaharonline/ M. O.
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