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July is shaping up as the deadliest month of the Afghan war for U.S.-led international forces.

Halfway through the month, at least 46 international troopers have died in Afghanistan.

That matches the full-month totals for what had been the two deadliest months, which were June 2008 and August 2008.

The 46 dead include 24 Americans and 15 British soldiers. Four Canadians, two Turks and one Italian have also died in Afghanistan this month. By comparison, only two American service members have died this month in Iraq — both from non-hostile causes.

Rising casualties follow President Barack Obama's decision to order 21,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan this year.

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