KABUL, Afghanistan, July 13 (UPI) -- NATO allies worry about the direction of the conflict in Afghanistan as the number of coalition troop casualties begins to soar.
Nearly 200 foreign troops were killed in combat operations in Afghanistan in 2009, up 40 percent from 2008 and 75 percent compared with 2007, U.S. military figures show.
The increased number of military casualties comes as NATO allies push into Afghanistan as part of a U.S.-led effort to turn the tide against the insurgency and provide security for national elections in August.
U.S. and NATO leaders say that with increased troop numbers come increased casualties, with all acknowledging a tough battle ahead.
"There are more troops operating in more areas where (the) enemy is located compared to last year," said U.S. military spokesman Army Lt. Col. Clarence Counts Jr.
But leaders from NATO member states, including France, Britain, Germany and Canada, expressed harsh criticism over the Afghan conflict as casualties continue to mount, The Wall Street Journal reports. Britain, for its part, has lost 15 soldiers in less than two weeks.
Nick Clegg, who leads the opposition Liberal Democrat Party in the British Parliament, worried British troops were being "thrown away" in Afghanistan.
In a letter to lawmakers, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, however, warned of a "tough and dangerous battle" ahead, but added stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan was key to national security.
