US soldier killed in Afghanistan

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) - A U.S. service member was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan, the NATO-led Resolute Support mission said in a statement on Friday.

“In accordance with U.S. Department of Defense policy, the name of the service member is being withheld until 24 hours after notification of next of kin is complete,” the statement said.

No further details were provided.

The Taliban in Afghanistan last week claimed responsibility for killing two U.S. soldiers in the country's northern Faryab province bordering Turkmenistan.

With the latest killing, the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Afghanistan this year has surged to 17.

This came as the U.S. and Taliban are engaged in the ninth session of ongoing marathon round of peace talks in the Qatari capital, Doha.