Afghan forces witnessing bloodiest year

By Shadi Khan Saif

KABUL, Afghanistan (AA) – A U.S. authority overseeing Afghanistan's reconstruction said the country's security forces have suffered from their bloodiest year yet.

In a quarterly report released Sunday, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) said more than 5,500 soldiers have been killed and 9,600 injured so far this year, more than any other year for the nascent forces being developed to take over the country's security after the withdrawal of foreign forces last year.

Based on figures provided by U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, SIGAR said around 63 percent of the country's districts are under Afghan government control or influence, a two percent decrease since May.

SIGAR also warned past gains in poverty and socio-economic development are eroding, while the private sector has also shrunk.