The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) took back control of Nawa district of southern Helmand province on Monday after nine months, local officials confirmed.

Omar Zwak, a spokesman for the provincial governor, confirmed security forces regained “complete” control at about 9am on Monday morning.

The number of civilians killed and injured in the Afghanistan conflict during the first six months of 2017 persisted at the same record high levels as last year, according to a mid-year report from the United Nations.

A statement issued by the organization said: “Extreme harm to civilians continued amid a worsening toll from suicide attacks, and a greater impact on women and children.”