Terror Attacks in Afghanistan Have Receded Over Past Year – US Defense Dept.

The number of attacks against Afghanistan's security personnel and civilians has decreased over the past year, according to the US Department of Defense.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The number of attacks against Afghanistan's security personnel and civilians has decreased over the past year, the Pentagon said in a report.

"From June 1 to November 30, 2016, there were a total of 5,271 effective enemy-initiated attacks with a monthly average of 79," stated the report issued Friday. "By comparison, the total number of effective enemy-initiated attacks during the same time period last year was 5,822, with a monthly average of 971."

“Effective enemy-initiated attacks” are those perpetrated by terrorists that result in at least one non-insurgent being killed or wounded, the report clarified.

Direct fire remains the main source of such attacks, followed by improvised explosive devices and mines, according to the report.