Posted on 07/30/2019 1:36:21 AM PDT by robowombat
UN: Nearly 4,000 Afghans killed and wounded in first half of 2019 Civilians are being killed and wounded at a 'shocking and unacceptable' level despite push to end Afghan war, says UN.
UN: Nearly 4,000 Afghans killed and wounded in first half of 2019 In Afghanistan the war has raged on despite the diplomatic efforts, forcing civilians to live under constant fear
At least 3,812 civilians have been killed or wounded in Afghanistan's war in the first half of 2019, the United Nations said, noting a big increase in the number of casualties caused by government and NATO-led troops.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) called the toll "shocking and unacceptable" on Tuesday, and urged parties to Afghanistan's 18-year war to heed a demand from Afghan delegates at a recent peace conference in the Qatari capital, Doha, to reduce civilian casualties to zero
The UNAMA report said 1,366 civilians were killed and another 2,446 wounded in the six months to June 30.
In that period, the Taliban and other armed groups caused the majority of civilian casulaties, but Afghan and NATO-led forces were responsible for more civilian killings, it said.
The pro-government forces killed 717 civilians and wounded 680, representing a 31 percent increase from the corresponding period in 2018.
Taliban and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) fighters killed 531 Afghans and wounded 1,437.
UNAMA said it also documented 985 civilian casualties from armed groups attacks that deliberately targeted civilians, including government officials, tribal elders, aid workers, and religious scholars.
Meanwhile, at least 144 women and 327 children were killed and more than 1,000 wounded in attacks across the country.
"Everyone heard the message loud and clear from Afghan delegates in the Doha talks - 'reduce civilian casualties to zero!'", said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the head of UNAMA. "We urge all parties to heed this imperative, to answer the call of Afghans for immediate steps to be taken to reduce the terrible harm being inflicted."
Colonel Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, rejected the methods and findings used by UNAMA, saying the collection of evidence by US forces was "more thorough, evidentiary and accurate".
Leggett, however, did not give any US military figures for civilian casualties but said US forces worked closely with Afghan security forces to prevent them.
"We follow the highest standards of accuracy and accountability and always work to avoid harm to civilian non-combatants," Leggett said.
The United States formally ended its combat mission in Afghanistan in 2014 but still provides extensive air and other support to local forces battling both groups.
The US is trying to negotiate a deal under which foreign forces would pull out in return for security guarantees by the Taliban, including a pledge that the country will not become a safe haven for terror groups.
The Taliban control or contest half the country, more than at any time since being overthrown by US-led Afghan forces in late 2001, but they have rejected calls for a ceasefire until all foreign forces leave Afghanistan.
The Afghan government and the Taliban were not immediately available to comment on the UN report.
I don’t care at all.
IDGAF. 1560 killed and wounded in Chicago alone so far this year just through criminal stuff. These savages can’t even kill each other particularly well.
And the bad news is.....
Let’s leave. A security deal with the Taliban. I am afraid to know what they are fetting from the deal. Weapons to kill more US forces?
No deals, just leave. Astan has been a setup for perpetual war long before we arrived on the scene.
UN: Nearly 4,000 Afghans killed and wounded in first half of 2019
And? They say that like it’s a bad thing.
Ahghan population is 36 million, so 4000 dead or wounded is 1 in 9000.
Chicago population in 2.7 million. so 1560 dead or wounded is 1 in 1730.
The UN should be warning us about Chicago,.
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