'US defeat in war emboldens Taliban' [Michael Maloof © PressTV]

US President Barack Obama says Washington is watching with "deep concern" a hike in the so-called "green-on-blue attacks" on US troops in Afghanistan.

The number of insider attacks or the green-on-blue attacks, in which Afghan security forces turn their weapons against foreign forces occupying their country, has increased in 2012. At least 40 US-led soldiers have been killed in such attacks so far this year.

The US president stated that "we have been watching with deep concern the so-called green-on-blue attacks where you have Afghan individuals, some of whom are actually enrolled in the Afghan military and in some cases dressing up as Afghan military or police, attacking the coalition's, including our own troops."

Insecurity continues to rise across Afghanistan, despite the presence of about 130,000 US-led forces in the country.

Press TV has conducted an interview with Michael Maloof, former Pentagon official from Washington, to further discuss the issue.