May deadliest month for US-led troops

The month of May has been designated as the deadliest month this year for US-led troops in Afghanistan, though casualties were lower than last year as foreign soldiers are leaving the country, Press TV reports.

According to official figures released by the website icasualties.org, 26 US-led troops lost their lives in the war-battered country, most of them as a result of militant attacks and roadside bombs.

The website added that the overall number of the US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) soldiers killed so far this year in Afghanistan now stands at 68, out of which 54 are American.

A total of 402 US-led soldiers lost their lives in Afghanistan in 2012. However, 2010 remains the deadliest year for US-led military casualties, with a death toll of 711.

Attacks on foreign troops are expected to rise in the next months, as Taliban militants have announced the beginning of their spring offensive across Afghanistan.

The militant group said it would use “every possible tactic” to inflict casualties on Afghan and US-led forces, specifically mentioning insider and bomb attacks.

The announcement prompted the Afghan authorities to beef up security in major cities across the country, including the capital city of Kabul.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan as part of Washingtonâ„¢s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but the country is still gripped by insecurity.

FKO/MP/SS

This article originally appeared on: Press TV