Taliban and ISIL believed to be competing to lead the fightback against new US offensive, and civilians and the security forces are paying the price.
With major attacks now an almost daily event in Kabul and the latest loss of 11 soldiers in an attack, the Afghan authorities are facing accusations that they are letting the situation slip out of control.
Monday's attack on a military academy in the Afghan capital was the fourth in nine days with heavy loss of life.
It appears that two groups, the Taliban and ISIL, are competing to see who can take the lead in the fightback against the aggressive new US strategy being pursued by the White House.
The United States has stepped up its assistance to Afghan security forces and its air strikes against the Taliban and other militant groups, aiming to break a stalemate and force the insurgents to the negotiating table.
While there have been rumours elements of the Taliban are ready to talk, there have been no such signs from ISIL or al-Qaeda, both active in the country. After the latest attack, Donald Trump tweeted it would only stiffen America's resolve.
