Stepped up violence alternately claimed by IS and Taliban

Analysts say the Islamic State group and the Taliban are competing to take credit for a horrific spike in violence in Afghanistan over the last month.

They say both insurgent groups are growing in strength as security forces wither under their relentless attacks and a feuding government struggles to win over citizens.

Still, the two insurgent groups embrace different agendas and are at war with each other as well as the Afghan government.

Recent large-scale attacks, which have included both suicide bombings and small weapons fire, have left nearly 200 people dead and hundreds more wounded. Afghan Security Forces seem powerless against the onslaught.