Two US service members killed in Afghanistan

Two U.S. service members were killed Monday in Afghanistan.

The soldiers were supporting the NATO-led Resolute Support mission in the country, according to a statement from the alliance.

NATO provided no further details and the service members’ names will be withheld until next of kin are notified, in accordance with Defense Department protocol.

{mosads}The deaths bring the number of U.S. fatalities in Afghanistan in 2019 to 14 — two of which were not combat related — as the military continues to aid Afghan forces in their fight against the Taliban. 

The group, which was ousted from power in 2001, continues to wage an insurgency campaign against the Afghan government while pursuing peace talks with the U.S., now in its 18th year of war in the country.

The U.S. military provides troops to the Resolute Support mission, and a smaller contingent is also in the country for counterterrorism operations against al Qaeda and fighters connected to ISIS.