WASHINGTON — Lawmakers are telling the U.S. military to do more to screen Afghan security forces to prevent those supposedly friendly troops from killing Americans fighting alongside them.
Defense officials told the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday that such insider attacks are increasing. They say while more safeguards can be put in place there is no way to totally eliminate the problem.
Officials say the number of insider attacks in Afghanistan has dramatically increased. Seventy-five percent of the more than 40 incidents since 2007 happened in the past two years. Most of the attackers acted out of personal motivation, and were not directed by insurgents.
The attacks have killed 70 coalition troops and wounded another 110.
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