Afghans feel less secure than at any recent time, a Pentagon report says, as Afghan battlefield deaths continue to escalate and civilian casualties hit a record high.
In a report on Friday to the US Congress covering war developments since December last year, the Pentagon cited progress in developing more capable Afghan security forces 15 years after a US-led invasion toppled the Taliban government.
However, it also said public opinion surveys indicate that Afghans do not feel better protected.
“Perceptions of security remain near all-time lows,” the report said.
Only 20 percent of Afghans surveyed in March called security good. That is a drop from 39 percent a year earlier. In the latest polling, 42 percent of Afghans said security is worse now than during the time of the Taliban, which ruled the country from 1996 to late 2001 when US troops invaded. The report called the 42 percent figure a historic high.
The report portrayed the war effort as making modest progress, despite the resilience of Taliban forces and continuing weaknesses in the Afghan military.
“The security situation in Afghanistan continues to be dominated by a resilient insurgency, but the Afghan government remains in control of all major population centers and key lines of communication,” the report said.
In response to requests by US commanders, the White House this month broadened the military’s authority to conduct offensive operations against the Taliban. Yet to be determined is whether US President Barack Obama will carry out a planned reduction in US troop levels from 9,800 to 5,500 before he leaves office.
Afghan civilian casualties last year, as counted by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, hit the highest level since the UN group began systematic documentation in 2009, the Pentagon said.
It said the number continued to rise in the first half of this year.
“As fighting and suicide attacks have increased in more populated areas, the number of women and children included among the civilian casualties has also increased,” the report said.
Afghan security forces have suffered heavy casualties since they assumed the lead role in the fight against the Taliban in January last year, with support from a US-led international coalition.
The Pentagon report said casualties for the period from December last year through May were higher than in the previous six months, although it offered no figures.
It said specifics were contained in a classified annex provided to US Congress.
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