2 US service members killed in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, 30 July 2019 [Fik/News Sources]: Two U.S. service members were killed Monday in Afghanistan, the NATO-led mission in the country said.

Operation Resolute Support did not offer additional details about the attack but multiple U.S. media reports said the members were killed in a suspected "green on blue attack," or an attack by an Afghan soldier on U.S. troops.

The apparent insider attack comes amid President Donald Trump's effort to wind down U.S. forces from Afghanistan in tandem with peace talks aimed at ending the 18-year conflict there.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said earlier in the day that Trump directed him to reduce the number of troops by the 2020 presidential election.

"That’s my directive from the president of the United States. He’s been unambiguous: End the endless wars. Draw down. Reduce. It won’t just be us," Pompeo said during remarks at the Economic Club of Washington.

"We hope that overall the need for combat forces in the region is reduced," he said.

The Afghan war is the U.S.'s longest to date, and is nearing its 18-year anniversary in October.