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Nine US Soldiers Die in Afghanistan
The US suffered its worst attack in three years in Afghanistan when Taliban militants attacked a NATO base, killing nine soldiers and wounded 15 others. Over 100 insurgents, or Taliban fighters, attempted to overrun a base near the border of Pakistan. At the end of hours of heavy fighting, the American death toll was one of the highest since the US operation began in Afghanistan in 2001. Many of the Taliban fighters were dead.
The war has taken its toll on the rest of the country as well. 2008 has been one of the deadliest years since 2001 for the country's civilian population and aid workers. The US military invaded Afghanistan after the destruction of the World Trade Center because the Middle East nation had been the training ground for the al-Qaida terrorists who carried out the attack. The US captured some al-Qaida terrorists in Afghanistan and also overthrew the reigning Taliban government that supported them.
A democratically elected government is now in place, but remains weak and the recent attacks demonstrate how fragile it is. US officials also claim that neighboring Pakistan is offering safe haven for some Taliban fighters. To date, about 470 US troops have died in Afghanistan. In response to the attacks, the US sent reinforcements to the base and is considering transferring some troops from Iraq in upcoming months.
I'm Michelle and that's what happened in the world this week!
Photo: AP
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