U.S. death toll in Afghanistan hits all-time high

8:15 a.m. Thursday, July 3, 2008

Sgt. 1st Class Matthew L. Hilton, 37, a transition team soldier who trained at Fort Riley, was killed June 26 in Afghanistan; he is one among a rising number of soldiers to be killed in Afghanistan.

More U.S. and NATO troops died during the past two months in Afghanistan than in Iraq. In June, 28 U.S. troops died in Afghanistan. That was the

highest monthly total of the entire war, which began in October 2001.

"It has been a tough month in Afghanistan, but it's also been a tough month for the Taliban," President Bush said. "One reason why there have been more deaths is because our troops are taking the fight to a tough enemy."

For the full U.S.-led coalition in Afghanistan the death toll was 46, also the highest of the war.

The Pentagon says it is too strapped to send more forces to Afghanistan right now, but hopes to be able to shift forces if security continues to improve in Iraq.


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