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| Afghan ambush kills French troops | Afghan ambush kills French troops |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Ten French soldiers have been killed in an ambush by Taleban fighters east of the Afghan capital, Kabul. | Ten French soldiers have been killed in an ambush by Taleban fighters east of the Afghan capital, Kabul. |
| A further 21 French troops were wounded in one of the heaviest tolls suffered by the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf). | A further 21 French troops were wounded in one of the heaviest tolls suffered by the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf). |
| French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced he will travel to Kabul to assure troops of his support. | French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced he will travel to Kabul to assure troops of his support. |
| The deaths come amid warnings that insurgents are closing in on the capital city. | The deaths come amid warnings that insurgents are closing in on the capital city. |
| The loss of life is thought to be the heaviest suffered by the French military since 58 paratroopers were killed in Beirut in 1983. | The loss of life is thought to be the heaviest suffered by the French military since 58 paratroopers were killed in Beirut in 1983. |
| The BBC's Emma-Jane Kirby, in Paris, says news of the deaths is bound to provoke anger in France, where about two-thirds of people say they are opposed to any French involvement in the conflict. | The BBC's Emma-Jane Kirby, in Paris, says news of the deaths is bound to provoke anger in France, where about two-thirds of people say they are opposed to any French involvement in the conflict. |
| But President Sarkozy insisted France remained committed to the fight against terrorism, and that the mission in Afghanistan would continue.See a breakdown of the Isaf deployment | But President Sarkozy insisted France remained committed to the fight against terrorism, and that the mission in Afghanistan would continue.See a breakdown of the Isaf deployment |
| The French troops were caught up in fighting that started on Monday in the area of Sarobi some 50 km (30 miles) east of Kabul. | The French troops were caught up in fighting that started on Monday in the area of Sarobi some 50 km (30 miles) east of Kabul. |
| French defence officials said about 100 soldiers - from France, the US and Afghanistan - were on a reconnaissance mission when bad road conditions forced them to stop their vehicles. | French defence officials said about 100 soldiers - from France, the US and Afghanistan - were on a reconnaissance mission when bad road conditions forced them to stop their vehicles. |
| A group of French soldiers was sent ahead on foot to check the terrain, but they were ambushed by Taleban fighters and nine were killed. | A group of French soldiers was sent ahead on foot to check the terrain, but they were ambushed by Taleban fighters and nine were killed. |
| A tenth French soldier was killed when his vehicle overturned on the road. | A tenth French soldier was killed when his vehicle overturned on the road. |
| An Afghan intelligence officer told the BBC the troops had been ambushed from several directions. | An Afghan intelligence officer told the BBC the troops had been ambushed from several directions. |
| "The Taleban and al-Qaeda forces used heavy machine guns and other weapons. They fired from mountains and gardens," he said. | "The Taleban and al-Qaeda forces used heavy machine guns and other weapons. They fired from mountains and gardens," he said. |
| The fighting went on for 24 hours and it is understood that reinforcements had to be called in to airlift the troops to safety. | The fighting went on for 24 hours and it is understood that reinforcements had to be called in to airlift the troops to safety. |
| The French recently took over control of the Kabul regional command which includes Sarobi. | The French recently took over control of the Kabul regional command which includes Sarobi. |
| Wave of attacks | Wave of attacks |
| France has about 3,000 troops deployed in Afghanistan. The French news agency AFP reported that Tuesday's deaths brought to 24 the number killed since 2002. | France has about 3,000 troops deployed in Afghanistan. The French news agency AFP reported that Tuesday's deaths brought to 24 the number killed since 2002. |
| Leaders from countries including the UK and Italy - both of which have sizeable troop deployments in Afghanistan - paid tribute to the French soldiers. | Leaders from countries including the UK and Italy - both of which have sizeable troop deployments in Afghanistan - paid tribute to the French soldiers. |
| DEADLY ATTACKS 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 Taleban grow more brazen | DEADLY ATTACKS 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 Taleban grow more brazen |
| "Theirs was a sacrifice not just for France but for all of us who want to help the Afghan people build a better future," said UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. | "Theirs was a sacrifice not just for France but for all of us who want to help the Afghan people build a better future," said UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. |
| Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the soldiers had died "defending democracy and freedom in Afghanistan". | Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the soldiers had died "defending democracy and freedom in Afghanistan". |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |