UN: More Civilians Killed By Afghan, NATO Forces Than Militants This Year
Last edited Sun Apr 19, 2020, 09:19 AM - Edit history (1)
UN: More Civilians Killed By Afghan, NATO Forces Than Militants This Year
Afghan and international forces killed more than 700 civilians in the first six months of the year.
Rahim Faiez
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/afghanistan-civilian-casualties_n_5d3fe6c5e4b0d24cde050225
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Most of the civilian casualties were apparently inflicted during Afghan and NATO operations against insurgents, such as airstrikes and night raids on militant hideouts. Insurgents often hide among civilians.
The report by the U.N. mission in Afghanistan said 403 civilians were killed by Afghan forces in the first six months of the year and another 314 by international forces, a total of 717. That’s compared to 531 killed by the Taliban, an Islamic State affiliate and other militants during the same period.
It said 300 of those killed by militants were directly targeted. The Taliban have been carrying out near-daily attacks, mainly targeting security forces.
One in three casualties was caused by ground combat and a fifth were caused by roadside bombs, the report said.
The Taliban have rejected calls for a cease-fire as they hold talks with the United States aimed at ending the 18-year war. An Islamic State affiliate has meanwhile launched attacks targeting security forces as well as minority Shiites.
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