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Miliband speaks on Afghan mission | Miliband speaks on Afghan mission |
(10 minutes later) | |
The foreign secretary is expected to focus on how the international coalition can win its mission in Afghanistan in a speech to Nato. | The foreign secretary is expected to focus on how the international coalition can win its mission in Afghanistan in a speech to Nato. |
David Miliband is believed to be keen to outline the need to support the Afghan government, alongside the continuing military mission. | David Miliband is believed to be keen to outline the need to support the Afghan government, alongside the continuing military mission. |
July has been the deadliest month for the UK and Nato since operations began. | July has been the deadliest month for the UK and Nato since operations began. |
The UK on Sunday pledged £225m in aid to the Afghan government, to try to undermine the heroin trade. | |
Announcing the package in Kabul, International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said the UK was committed to securing a "stable and democratic future for the people of Afghanistan". | |
He added that the military operation against the insurgency was "only part of the solution". | |
Mr Alexander is due to arrive in Helmand province on Monday, where UK soldiers have been engaged in Operation Panther's Claw to capture and hold land previously in Taliban hands. | |
The operation has led to the deaths of 20 British soldiers in the past four weeks. | |
US troops have also seen a rise in casualties, while parts of Afghanistan that have been mostly peaceful have seen an upsurge in violence. | US troops have also seen a rise in casualties, while parts of Afghanistan that have been mostly peaceful have seen an upsurge in violence. |
Wave of attacks | Wave of attacks |
Other Nato forces such as German troops - mainly engaged in training and reconstruction - have been drawn into offensive action. | Other Nato forces such as German troops - mainly engaged in training and reconstruction - have been drawn into offensive action. |
A wave of Taliban attacks over the weekend left 22 dead, including insurgents, a foreign soldier and two Afghan soldiers, authorities said. | A wave of Taliban attacks over the weekend left 22 dead, including insurgents, a foreign soldier and two Afghan soldiers, authorities said. |
The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said a Nato soldier "died of wounds suffered in a hostile incident" on Saturday, but did not confirm his nationality. | The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) said a Nato soldier "died of wounds suffered in a hostile incident" on Saturday, but did not confirm his nationality. |
Meanwhile a roadside bomb in the Herat province wounded four Italian soldiers. | Meanwhile a roadside bomb in the Herat province wounded four Italian soldiers. |
There are about 90,000 foreign soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan. | There are about 90,000 foreign soldiers currently deployed in Afghanistan. |
Large numbers are being moved to the troubled south of the country ahead of the elections on 20 August. | Large numbers are being moved to the troubled south of the country ahead of the elections on 20 August. |
So far in July, 67 international troops have been killed, bringing the total number of coalition deaths in 2009 to 223. | So far in July, 67 international troops have been killed, bringing the total number of coalition deaths in 2009 to 223. |