Afghanistan records deadliest month Civilian deaths on the rise as the conflict drags on

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (AP)—A minibus full of civilians struck a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan early Sunday, and Afghan officials said six of those on board were killed.

Also Sunday, the last troops from the 1,600-member military contingent began to leave the country, marking an end to the Netherlands' four-year mission in the central province of Uruzgan. They will be replaced by American, Australian, Slovak and Singaporean forces.

German Army Brig. Gen. Josef Blotz, a NATO spokesman, told reporters Sunday in Kabul that the Dutch pullout did not show a weakening of the international coalition.

"The overall force posture of (NATO) and of the Afghan security forces is increasing," Gen. Blotz said. However, the increase in NATO troops comes primarily from a surge of U.S. forces, who recently have taken over control of key areas in Helmand and Kandahar from British and Canadian forces.

Sunday's blast in Kandahar hit a bus in the Maiwand district outside Kandahar city, according to provincial spokesman Zalmai Ayubi.

A NATO patrol arrived soon after the explosion and treated the wounded at the scene, the coalition command said.

U.S. and NATO forces are stepping up operations against the Taliban in Kandahar and nearby Helmand province. July was the deadliest month for U.S. forces in the nearly 9-year war, with 66 troops killed. Overall NATO deaths were highest in June, with 103 troops killed.

A NATO service member died Sunday after an insurgent attack in south, the coalition said in a statement. It did not provide further details.

The escalation in military operations also threatens more civilian casualties, potentially undermining support for the U.S.-led mission among Afghans as well as the public in troop-contributing nations.

At least 270 civilians were killed in the fighting in July, and nearly 600 wounded, Interior Ministry spokesman Zemeri Bashary said.

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