KABUL - Rising casualties among Afghan forces and continued presence of a Daesh-affiliated group are becoming growing concerns for commanders, Gen. John Nicholson, Commander of NATO's Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan said as quoted by Fox News.
Nicholson said that the Taliban killed more than 5,000 Afghans last year and wounded another 14,000 -- and the casualty rate is climbing this year.
He told this to reporters in Kabul this weekend.
"In one year, Afghan forces suffered roughly double the number of casualties that we suffered in 15 years," Nicholson said.
Nicholson said the numbers were somewhat expected with Afghan security forces beginning to take the lead in armed conflicts. Afghan forces have shown "tactical success" on the battlefield against the Taliban, despite the heavy losses, he said.
"We are very concerned about Afghan casualties," Nicholson said.
He praised the Afghan forces for their resiliency.
"This army did not break...there has not been any significant Taliban battlefield success this year," he added.
Nicholson said the increased casualties show the Afghan Army's "commitment to the fight."
The news comes after U.S President Barack Obama announced on Wednesday that he would slow down the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. Instead of reducing the force down to 5,500, Obama will keep nearly 8,400 in Afghanistan when he leaves office in January.(Tolonews)