KABUL, Afghanistan — U.S. military deaths, suicide bombings and opium production hit record highs in 2007, but U.S. officials here insist things are looking up.
The Afghan army is assuming a larger combat role, and militants appear unlikely to mount a major spring offensive, as had been feared a year ago. Training for Afghan police is increasing.
Still, six years after the 2001 U.S.-led invasion, violence persists in much of southern Afghanistan, where the government has little presence and recent militant attacks in Pakistan highlight a long-term regional problem with al-Qaida and the Taliban.
Taliban fighters avoided head-on battles with U.S., NATO and Afghan army forces in 2007, resorting instead to ambushes and suicide bombings.
Afghanistan in 2007 saw record violence that killed more than 6,500 people, including more than 925 Afghan police officers who were killed in Taliban ambushes.
“The Taliban attack whom they perceive to be the most vulnerable, and in this case it’s the police,” said Lt. Col. Dave Johnson, a spokesman for the U.S. troops who train Afghan police and soldiers. “They don’t travel in large formations like the army does. That puts them in an area of vulnerability.”
The Taliban this year abandoned the strategy of large-force attacks after devastating losses in 2006 and has shown no signs of mass regrouping, but Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, promised an increase in suicide attacks, ambushes and roadside bombs against U.S. and NATO forces in 2008.
Taliban suicide bombers set off a record number of attacks this year, more than 140.
Also last year, the fight against poppies failed: Afghanistan produced 93 percent of the world’s opium, the main ingredient in heroin.
Afghanistan deaths
In 2007:
U.S. troops who died: 110
Troops from other countries: 101
Afghan police who died: More than 925
Militants who died: Nearly 4,500 (estimate)
Associated Press
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