Afghanistan War News Updates -- December 31, 2011

Over 560 ISAF troops die in Afghan war in 2011 -- Montreal Gazette/AFP

KABUL — Foreign troops fighting in Afghanistan continue to pay a high toll, with more than 560 killed in 2011, the second highest number in the 10-year war against the Taliban-led insurgency.

Commanders from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) say violence is declining following the U.S. military surge which saw an extra 33,000 troops on the ground.

But the UN says violence is up, while recent mass casualty strikes by the Taliban on civilians and coalition troops have fuelled analyst predictions that more bloodshed is likely as NATO hands control for security to Afghan forces.

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More News On Afghanistan

FACTBOX-Security developments in Afghanistan, Dec 31 -- Reuters
Blast kills British soldier in Afghanistan -- AFP
UK soldier killed in Afghanistan -- BBC
565 foreign troops killed in Afghan unrest -- Herald Sun
U.S. Military Fights Rising IED Attacks in Afghanistan -- ABC News
Taliban to get official HQ as U.S. seeks peace deal; break from Al Qaeda is a must -- New York Daily News
Afghan President Welcomes US Remarks on Taliban -- Voice of America
Afghan president welcomes US remarks on Taliban not being America’s enemy -- Washington Post/AP
U.S. hopes to resume talks with Taliban in spring -- SFGate/AP
Liaison Office Seven Taliban leaders take families to Qatar -- Pakistan Observer
French defence minister visits Afghanistan -- Yahoo News/AFP
Taliban Ringtones Are Saving Lives in Afghanistan -- Gizmodo
Soldier's guide to surviving Afghanistan war - written 92 years ago -- Mirror
Could giving the Taliban a street address bring peace to Afghanistan? -- Tom A. Peter, Christian Science Monitor