Monday, December 27th, 2010 VOA News Two prominent U.S. newspapers are offering conflicting takes on NATO's military progress in Afghanistan.
On Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the security situation in Afghanistan grew worse this year, according to two confidential U.N. maps.
The article says they show the security situation grew worse from March to October. The U.N. maps are used to gauge the dangers of traveling and working in different regions.
Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that allied operations
The report says the so-called Haqqani network of fighters has not carried out a major attack in seven months, after American-led commandos intensified raids against the group.
The newspaper quotes senior U.S. officials who say the Obama administration is not trumpeting the assessment because military progress remains fragile.
President Barack Obama has said progress in Afghanistan is on track, but that the situation is fragile and reversible.
Meanwhile, a coalition spokesman told reporters in Kabul Monday that security forces have clearly made progress in recent weeks throughout the Afghanistan.
The spokesman, General Jossef Blotz, said the allies must keep pressure on insurgents in order to solidify gains. Blotz added very tough fighting is expected in the weeks and months ahead as operations move into the last insurgent-controlled areas.
Blotz said in the last 90 days, allied forces have captured or killed 880 insurgent leaders.
This year, nearly 700 foreign soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan, the highest number since the war began nine years ago.
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