Five French Soldiers Slain in Afghanistan Ambush
Troop Convoy Killed by Suicide Bomber East of Kabul
Among the deadliest incidents for the nation since the NATO occupation began in late 2001, five French soldiers were killed today and four others wounded when their convoy was ambushed by a suicide bomber east of Kabul.
The attack came in the wake of President Nicolas Sarkozy’s visit to Afghanistan, during which he detailed a comparatively minor drawdown for French troops sometime before the end of 2012.
It was the worst incident the French sustained since August 2009, when a battle killed 10 soldiers and wounded 21 others. France has sustained the fourth most deaths of any NATO nation in the war, behind the US, Britain and Canada.
It will likely draw more uncomfortable scrutiny for the Sarkozy government to its continued interest in what is a hugely unpopular was among the French people. This is a particularly bad time, with Sarkozy’s government already facing growing discontent with the Libyan War and desperately trying to extricate itself from a conflict it once embrace eagerly.
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1American Muse
July 13th, 2011 at 10:21 pm
The brave Afghans are poised to defeat the US and its quisling NATO collaborators. Empires always go to Afghanistan to die.
ghouri
July 14th, 2011 at 2:53 am
Personally I have no sympathy as this war and kilings are illegal. Afghanistan has nothing to do with 9/11 is a pure american act of terrism and NATO should have resited.
This war has destoyed peace in the world and economy is shattered but once you lie will have to lie again and again. France has become most obedient servant of america.
It,s still time to safe human life on both side and leave Afghanistan and Pakistan otherwise will be more desastrous for you,.
Brad_Smith2
July 14th, 2011 at 4:25 am
My heart goes out to the families of these fallen soldiers. I won't call them heroes. I am a vet and trust me, we are not heroes at least not simply for being a pawn. Soldiers often do what are considered heroic deeds. I would guess that given ample opportunity most people would too. However, in my experience it's just a fight or flight responce. You would be surprized how many people choose flight and who those people are. (usually the trash talkers) Of course anyone can lose it eventually and go to one extreme or the other. Thowing down their rifles and helmets and running for their lives isn't uncommon and niether is trying to shoot everything in sight.
As for the government of France, they are one of the worst offenders in the histroy of the world. It might just be time for the people of France to stand up once again. Our time is past due.
thedissenter
July 14th, 2011 at 7:31 am
Oh, the horror! Imagine mercenaries instead of innocent civilians dying in war time while invading a foreign country. What is this world coming too?
Jaime
July 14th, 2011 at 11:56 am
When criminals invade a country and bring large-scale assassination, lawlessness, and utter destruction, they deserve everything that can happen to them.