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 the attack - the heaviest loss of troops France has suffered since deploying to Afghanistan in 2002.
A further 21 French soldiers were wounded in the attack - the heaviest loss of troops France has suffered since deploying to Afghanistan in 2002.
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 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.
"The French were ambushed in a village after they left the Ozbin valley," an Afghan intelligence officer told the BBC.
"The French were ambushed in a village after they left the Ozbin valley," an Afghan intelligence officer told the BBC.
"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 French have 1,670 troops stationed in Afghanistan and 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.
'Six suicide bombers'
'Six suicide bombers'
The fighting in Sirobi comes amid signs of deteriorating security in Afghanistan.
The fighting in Sirobi comes 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 have been killed while attacking a Nato military base, Nato says.
And in the south-eastern province of Khost six suicide bombers have been killed while attacking a Nato military base, Nato says.
The militants failed to storm Camp Salerno in Khost province, where many US troops are based, Nato and Afghan officials said.
The militants failed to storm Camp Salerno in Khost province, where many US troops are based, Nato and Afghan officials said.
Before the attack in Khost, the Taleban announced that a group of 30 Taleban fighters would attack Camp Salerno.
Before the attack in Khost, the Taleban announced that a group of 30 Taleban fighters would attack Camp Salerno.
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.
"Isaf forces on the base had before identified a group of insurgents posturing to attack the base and engaged them with small arms fire," a statement said.
"Isaf forces on the base had before identified a group of insurgents posturing to attack the base and engaged them with small arms fire," a statement said.
"Helicopters arrived on station soon after and engaged these insurgents as they attempted to flee from the scene.
"Helicopters arrived on station soon after and engaged these insurgents as they attempted to flee from the scene.
"Three of the insurgents killed themselves by detonating their suicide vests. Isaf forces killed three other suicide bombers before they could detonate their vests. There were no Isaf casualties in the attack," the statement said.
"Three of the insurgents killed themselves by detonating their suicide vests. Isaf forces killed three other suicide bombers before they could detonate their vests. There were no Isaf casualties in the attack," the statement said.
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.
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.
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.
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