Afghan conflict could be deadlier than Syria

War is on track to inflict 20,000 battle deaths in 2018, experts say

KABUL - The Afghan conflict could overtake Syria as the deadliest conflict in the world this year, analysts said, as violence surges 17 years after the United States-led invasion.

The grim assessment contrasts sharply with the consistently upbeat public view of the conflict from NATO's Resolute Support mission in Kabul, and underscores the growing sense of hopelessness in the war-torn country.