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Afghan ambush kills French troops Afghan ambush kills French troops
(30 minutes later)
Ten French soldiers have been killed in an ambush by Taleban fighters east of the Afghan capital, Kabul, the French president's office has confirmed.Ten French soldiers have been killed in an ambush by Taleban fighters east of the Afghan capital, Kabul, the French president's office has confirmed.
A further 21 French soldiers were wounded in one of the heaviest casualty tolls suffered by international peacekeepers in Afghanistan.A further 21 French soldiers were wounded in one of the heaviest casualty tolls suffered by international peacekeepers in Afghanistan.
The soldiers were part of the Nato-led peacekeeping International Security Assistance Force (Isaf).The soldiers were part of the Nato-led peacekeeping International Security Assistance Force (Isaf).
President Nicolas Sarkozy will go to Afghanistan shortly, his office says.President Nicolas Sarkozy will go to Afghanistan shortly, his office says.
The loss of life was the heaviest suffered by the French military since 58 paratroopers were killed in Beirut in 1983, the French news agency AFP reports.The loss of life was the heaviest suffered by the French military since 58 paratroopers were killed in Beirut in 1983, the French news agency AFP reports.
News of the deaths is bound to provoke anger back home where around two-thirds of French people say they are opposed to any French involvement in the conflict, the BBC's Emma-Jane Kirby reports from Paris.News of the deaths is bound to provoke anger back home where around two-thirds of French people say they are opposed to any French involvement in the conflict, the BBC's Emma-Jane Kirby reports from Paris.
But President Sarkozy insisted France remained committed to the fight against terrorism and that the mission in Afghanistan would continue.But President Sarkozy insisted France remained committed to the fight against terrorism and that the mission in Afghanistan would continue.
'Extremely violent''Extremely violent'
The French troops had been caught up in fighting that started on Monday in the area of Sirobi some 50 km (30 miles) east of Kabul.The French troops had been caught up in fighting that started on Monday in the area of Sirobi some 50 km (30 miles) east of Kabul.
DEADLIEST ATTACKS ON ISAF 19 August 2008: 10 French troops killed and 21 wounded in ambush east of Kabul13 July 2008: Nine US soldiers killed and 15 wounded in attack on base in Kunar28 June 2005: Rocket-propelled grenade downs US helicopter in Kunar, killing all 16 servicemen aboardDEADLIEST ATTACKS ON ISAF 19 August 2008: 10 French troops killed and 21 wounded in ambush east of Kabul13 July 2008: Nine US soldiers killed and 15 wounded in attack on base in Kunar28 June 2005: Rocket-propelled grenade downs US helicopter in Kunar, killing all 16 servicemen aboard
They were killed "during a joint reconnaissance mission with the Afghan National Army", Mr Sarkozy said in a statement.They were killed "during a joint reconnaissance mission with the Afghan National Army", Mr Sarkozy said in a statement.
"Serious measures, notably in the air, were taken to support and extricate our men caught in an extremely violent ambush.""Serious measures, notably in the air, were taken to support and extricate our men caught in an extremely violent ambush."
The French leader said his visit to Afghanistan would be to show his support for French troops there.The French leader said his visit to Afghanistan would be to show his support for French troops there.
France has 3,000 troops deployed in Afghanistan. Tuesday's deaths bring to 24 the number killed since 2002, AFP says.France has 3,000 troops deployed in Afghanistan. Tuesday's deaths bring to 24 the number killed since 2002, AFP says.
"The French were ambushed in a village after they left the Ozbin valley," an Afghan intelligence officer told the BBC.See a breakdown of the Isaf deployment"The French were ambushed in a village after they left the Ozbin valley," an Afghan intelligence officer told the BBC.See a breakdown of the Isaf deployment
"They were ambushed from several directions. The Taleban and al-Qaeda forces used heavy machine guns and other weapons. They fired from mountains and gardens.""They were ambushed from several directions. The Taleban and al-Qaeda forces used heavy machine guns and other weapons. They fired from mountains and gardens."
The fighting went on for 24 hours.The fighting went on for 24 hours.
The French recently took over control of the Kabul regional command which includes Sirobi.The French recently took over control of the Kabul regional command which includes Sirobi.
Wave of attacksWave of attacks
The ambush came amid signs of deteriorating security in Afghanistan.The ambush came amid signs of deteriorating security in Afghanistan.
Despite increased security in Kabul, two rockets were fired on the city overnight, landing close to the Isaf headquarters.Despite increased security in Kabul, two rockets were fired on the city overnight, landing close to the Isaf headquarters.
In the southern province of Kandahar a Nato patrol was struck by a roadside bomb.In the southern province of Kandahar a Nato patrol was struck by a roadside bomb.
And in the south-eastern province of Khost six suicide bombers were killed while attacking a Nato military base, Camp Salerno, Nato says.And in the south-eastern province of Khost six suicide bombers were killed while attacking a Nato military base, Camp Salerno, Nato says.
Isaf confirmed that Camp Salerno had been attacked by rockets or mortars, and that a number of suicide bombers had tried to storm the base.Isaf confirmed that Camp Salerno had been attacked by rockets or mortars, and that a number of suicide bombers had tried to storm the base.
On Monday, nine Afghan civilians were killed when a suicide bomber rammed a car into the gate of the same base.On Monday, nine Afghan civilians were killed when a suicide bomber rammed a car into the gate of the same base.
Isaf said the numbers involved in Tuesday's attack were a lot smaller than the Taleban claimed.
However, the governor of Khost, Arsala Jamal was quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying that two children were killed in the fighting and two more, along with a woman, were wounded.
Are you in the area? Did you witness the fighting? Send us your eyewitness accounts using the form below.Are you in the area? Did you witness the fighting? Send us your eyewitness accounts using the form below.
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