The 1396 solar year (March 2017 to March 2018) had many ups and downs for Afghanistan in terms of security as at least 11 districts bounced from being under government control and Taliban control.

Security and defense agencies have said Afghan forces will further focus on offensive operations in the next year in order to retake areas captured by the Taliban.

Government Forces Operations in 1396 

Security officials have said special ground and air operations have been effective for removing threats of anti-government militants.
In this time there were:

•    6,465 planned operations 

•    3,663 special operations by Afghan Commandos 

•    4,631 airstrikes 

•    209 night raids 

“In 1396, we prevented nine suicide attacks,” Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said. 

“Police independently conducted 5,539 operations against Afghanistan’s enemies in this year.”

According to a report by the Ministry of Defense, movements by anti-government militants were high and Taliban carried out more than 1,000 attacks during this year.

Action by anti-government militants 

•    80 suicide attacks

•    2,301 planted mines 

•    1,071 offensives 

•    176 ambush attacks

“At the same time, there will be a strong effort in the area of advancing the reconciliation process. We expect to see both of these things occur in this year.

And of course, we and the international community will support in every way possible the holding of elections in 2018,” Resolute Support Commander General John Nicholson.

There were reports about an increase in civilian casualties during this past year but no security agency has given exact figures to this effect.

In 1396, security forces only cleared Nawa district in Helmand and Ghorak district in Kandahar of the Taliban.

“We cannot be satisfied with the security situation in 1396. We hope that the situation improves in the next year,” Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said at a government session this week.

Ministry of Defense says that 13 districts are fully under control of the Taliban but according to the ministry, 11 districts bounced between government and Taliban in terms of control. 

These districts included Janikhail district in Paktia, Darqad district in Takhar, Kohistanat and Ghormach districts in Faryab, Qala-e-Zal district in Kunduz, Taiwara district in Ghor, Zibak district in Badakhshan, Khum Aab district in Jawzjan, Marjah and Khan Neshin district in Helmand, and Anar Dara district in Farah province.

“The problem was in war leadership and this resulted in high casualties among security forces,” said Jawed Kohistani, a military affairs analyst. “The security situation will be worse if the problem is not resolved in the next year.”

In addition to this, the Taliban’s attack on Shaheen Corps Headquarters in Balkh province, a group attack on Paktia Police Headquarters, Daesh’s attack on Mirza Olang valley in Sar-e-Pul province and a deadly attack in Sedarat Circle in Kabul were the deadliest incidents in the last year.