This year has become the bloodiest for international troops serving in Afghanistan.

Among those dead in 2009 so far are 296 U.S. soldiers.

Four more American soldiers were killed Tuesday when their vehicle hit a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan.

A total of 802 American troops have died since the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan began in 2001.
    
Military experts said the Taliban's tactics are getting more sophisticated as the situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate.

The Defense Department said 69 members of the U.S. Military died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom outside of Afghanistan.

Operation Enduring Freedom mainly refers to the war in Afghanistan, but it also includes smaller military actions in the Philippines, the Horn of Africa, and the Trans Sahara.