Roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan kills US service member

Bomb in Afghanistan kills US service member

KABUL — Military officials say a roadside bomb has killed an American service member in southern Afghanistan, where U.S. and NATO troops have increased operations in recent months to offset Taliban violence.

A military statement says the deadly bomb struck Monday, the same day a separate bombing in the area killed a British soldier. Roadside bombs now account for the majority of U.S. and NATO casualties in what has been the deadliest year of the war for international forces.

Gen. Stanley McChrystal has asked for more troops in a blunt assessment of the deteriorating conflict. His confidential report is now under review at the White House. But President Barack Obama says he needs to be convinced that sending more troops would make Americans safer from al-Qaida.