"VAN" (Afghanistan Bureau) :: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) released its latest report regarding civilian casualties during the first half of 2020, attributing the majority of civilian casualties to anti-government armed militants.
UNAMA said in its report “Anti-Government Elements (AGE’s) continued to be responsible for the majority of civilian casualties, with UNAMA documenting a disturbing increase in civilian casualties attributed to the Taliban from pressure-plate improvised explosive devices, as well as from abductions that led to ill-treatment and summary executions.”
The report further added that a total of 58 per cent of civilian casualties were caused by AGE’s, with the Taliban responsible for 1,473 (580 killed and 893 injured) representing 43 per cent of the total number of civilian casualties in the 1 January-30 June 2020 period.
Meanwhile, UNAMA said civilian casualties attributed to Afghan national security forces increased by nine per cent, mainly due to airstrikes and the use of indirect fire during ground engagements. “Civilian casualties from airstrikes by the Afghan Air Force during the first six months of 2020 have tripled as compared to the same time period in 2019. Afghan national security forces were responsible for 23 per cent of the total number of civilian casualties in the first half of the year, 789 people (281 killed and 508 injured). Pro-Government Forces remained responsible for most child deaths.”
UNAMA did not document any civilian casualties attributed to international military forces from active hostilities during the second quarter of 2020.
According to UNAMA the first half of 2020 witnessed fluctuating levels of violence impacting civilians in Afghanistan, which resulted in 3,458 civilian casualties (1,282 killed and 2,176 injured).
KP
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