Suicide Bomber Strikes U.S. Convoy

2 Americans Killed in Attack in Southern Afghanistan; Casualties Dropped in September

(AP)  A suicide bomber struck a U.S. convoy Friday in southern Afghanistan, killing two American soldiers, the U.S. command said. Two other international troops — one American and one British — were reported killed the day before.

The casualties followed a drop in U.S. and other NATO deaths during September — the first decline after months of ever-rising bloodshed.

U.S. spokeswoman Capt. Elizabeth Mathias confirmed the deaths in the convoy attack but would not specify where it occurred.

She also said a third American died when Taliban militants fired rocket-propelled grenades at a patrol late Thursday in eastern Afghanistan. Several other Americans were wounded, she added.

CBS Special Report: Afghanistan

In London, the British Ministry of Defense announced that a British airman was killed Thursday when a bomb exploded alongside his patrol near Camp Bastion in southern Helmand province.

The deaths were the first reported this month for the U.S.-led force, which has been locked in the heaviest fighting of the Afghan war. The Obama administration is debating whether to send more American troops to Afghanistan, whose government faces allegations of widespread fraud in the disputed Aug. 20 presidential election.

President Barack Obama summoned his top commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, for a 25-minute meeting aboard Air Force One on Friday in Copenhagen, Denmark, as part of his review of a war strategy that has divided the president's national security team.

The two conferred just before the president returned to Washington from Copenhagen, where he was pitching the International Olympic Committee on Chicago's bid to host the 2016 games.

At least 37 American troops died in Afghanistan in September, compared with 51 in August, 44 in July and 24 in June, according to figures compiled by The Associated Press from official statements.

The September death toll for the overall international force, including the Americans, stood at 65, compared with 73 in August, 75 in July and 34 in June.

At the same time, civilian deaths rose from 169 in August to 202 in September, according to AP figures compiled from police and other Afghan officials.

The reason for the decline in soldier deaths was unclear, although major ground operations were launched against Taliban forces in July and August. No figures for wounded were available.

Also Friday, Afghan authorities reported that militants attacked a convoy of empty trucks returning to Pakistan after delivering supplies to a NATO base in Kunar province of eastern Afghanistan.

One driver was killed, three were wounded and 13 trucks were burned, according to police chief Khalilullah Zaiyi.

Afghan authorities say militants have recently stepped up attacks on civilian convoys as part of a psychological campaign to convince Afghans that the Taliban are extending their control across the country.

[GetRidOfTheSwineNation]

ToolMangler1:

You got it all wrong. Islam does not want to bomb Hiroshima or Nagasaki nor do they start unlawful wars in Vietnam, Iraq, Gaza, Afghanistan, Somalia, etc. in order to kill, injure, ruin the lives of, and displace millions of people.

Islam has reigned for 13 centuries before WWI, during this time justice, mercy, development, and knowledge was more prevalent than today with the current superpower, in contrast, giving the following results: Destruction, death, famine, pollution, poverty, broken homes, greed, homosexuality, incest, AIDS, pornography, and all sorts of blasphemy, to name a just few.

Look at the latest report by Amnesty Int'l. about the last Gaza invasion, and see how the Superpower will veto it to ignore justice in its ever-support of violence and injustice.

You have been reading history written by hateful people. Get history books from more fair sources.

The truth sometimes is bitter: Like knowing that you are really part of an evil nation.

[mysteriousjz]

I agree. Many people living in Western power comfort and "excuse me, please" culture think they are very caring and harmless people while other must be barbaric and savages if they do not sound like them. Hardly they know (or are ignorant about it) what their policies and military actions are doing to ordinary people in other parts of the world. Bombing people in their mudhouses, cluster bombing fleeing children and women are barbaric and savage acts-Just that they dont see those pictures and stories or do not want to know so as to sleep better tonite.

[stuart-johns1]

I agree too. The arrogant republican war mentality is passe. But they can't understand why. ToolMangler stating that we sometimes have to use "an ounce of prevention" is exactly the mindset the republicans use to justify their thirst for violence and conquest. And that's all that wars are all about.

[BuddyBeanbags]

Why have we been there so long? Who are we helping? Why are our kids dying needlessly in this graveyard of armies? Who profits from this?

[mysteriousjz]

War is not a video game for those on receiving end. Until one understands that, one will not only lose there but in many other places in the world. There are hundreds of civilians being killed, maimed, and burned, and mutilated every week by so called "good warriors" and that does not make it to the news. But, their loved ones know it firsthand-and they have no choice but to wreak vengeance on those responsible for their mayhem, and to bring some justice to them, their loved ones, and their people. Therefore, the cycle of violence continues (yes, so called good war or any war is also a form of violence and those who commit and condone and support that war-against people of the mudhouses-are also violent criminals). One has superior firepower and might, but that does not make it right.

It is an everyman's war, and the "foe" is invisible. Airstrikes, drone attacks may help win battles in short length, but not wars. Fighting in dark, though with flashlights, but against invisible men will only exacerbate the danger and security of all involved for generations to come.

(The above was for educational purpose only, based on facts, not opinions, so no argument about it. No response needed, but any with a hint of hate, war-mongering, bigotry, rant, diatribe, and/or doofus content will not be read through)

[wyodutch]

The old men get us unto these wars... the cheerleaders and bystanders rave about the need for victory... the moneylenders and profiteers stuff their pockets with greenbacks... the officer corps get their career points... and the working class kid who enlisted because there were no jobs back home... well, he pays the price for all of them.
.
There is nothing in Afghanistan worth a single American life or a single American dollar. As General Smedley Butler (Holder of two Medals of Honor) said... "There are only two things worth fighting for. One is our homes... the other is the Bill of Rights."
.
Neither our homes, nor the Bill of Rights are being defended in Afghanistan.

[ToolMangler1]

You can hear that same statement being made by Al Qaeda and the Taliban. everyday on AlJazeera.

Learn this from 'an old man'
Power (Fed by greed) is the single greatest driving force in mankind. The greatest sources of Power are Religion, Government and warfare.
Of these Warfare is used by religion more often than by governments. Governments tend to use taxation as their primary source of 'power' (money). The nation that does not guard its borders will fall to the Aggressor nation. Sometimes guarding your borders means "putting out the fire in another place before it grows in size and overcomes you.."
(an ounce of prevention is worth a Pound of cure)

[USMC-Mom]

My heart is crying for these families, you are all in my prayers
God Bless Our Troops!!