NATO Alarmed by Afghanistan Losses

The war in Afghanistan has claimed the lives of about 1,100 US troops and over 600 coalition soldiers since 2001, Admiral James Stavridis said amid an upsurge of attacks against the US-led forces.

Estonia has suffered the most casualties per capita, followed by Denmark, Britain, Canada and the US, the admiral added.

Stavridis also told reporters on Monday that the alliance now faces a shortfall of hundreds of troops to train Afghan security forces through the next year.

The training mission in Afghanistan is allegedly NATO's highest priority in the war-torn nation amid claims of top US and European allies that success in Afghanistan depends on whether the Afghan army and police can take over security of the country.

NATO countries have so far agreed to send more trainers, but the program is 450 short of the 5,200 people needed this year.

There are currently over 120,000 foreign troops in Afghanistan, and the US, along with its other NATO allies, has announced the imminent deployment of 30,000 more.