1,592 civilians including women and children killed in Afghanistan in 6 months
Kabul, Afghanistan: As many as 1,592 civilians killed and 3,329 got injured in Afghanistan in last 6 months including women and children.
According to United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) 2015 Midyear Report on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict that was published on Wednesday, 4,921 civilian casualties were reported as 1,592 deaths and 3,329 injured between January and June. This is a one percent increase against the same period last year. Report documented a 23 percent increase in women casualties and a 13 percent increase in children casualties.
Report also indicates that more than 19,360 civilians were killed and over 33,000 others wounded during last 6 years from Jan. 1, 2009 to June 30 2015 in Afghanistan.
“The rise in the numbers of women and children killed and maimed from conflict-related violence is particularly disturbing,” said Danielle Bell, UNAMA Director of Human Rights while presenting the report.
He said:
“This year, UNAMA recorded the highest number of children and women casualties compared to the same period in previous years. All parties to the conflict must undertake stronger measures to protect civilians from harm. When the conflict kills or maims a mother, child, sister or brother, the repercussions for families and communities are devastating and long-lasting.”
According to the report, the vast majority – or 90 per cent – of civilian casualties resulted from ground engagements, improvised explosive devices, complex and suicide attacks and targeted killings. Report was prepared in coordination with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Civilian deaths and injuries caused by pro-government forces caused 16 percent of civilian casualties (15 percent from Afghan National Security Forces and pro-government militia and one percent from international military forces).
Fighting between the parties to the conflict that could not be attributed to one specific party caused 10 per cent of civilian casualties while unattributed explosive remnants of war caused the remaining four per cent.
Ground engagements between parties to the conflict caused 1,577 civilian casualties (379 deaths and 1,198 injured)
Similarly, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) caused 1,108 civilian casualties (385 deaths and 723 injured).
Report indicates that rise in civilian harm recorded in the first half of 2015 is primarily a result of increased civilian casualties from suicide and complex attacks and targeted killings – the third and fourth leading causes of civilian casualties respectively. Suicide and complex attacks executed by anti-government elements caused 1,022 civilian casualties (183 deaths and 839 injured), a 78 percent increase compared to the first six months of 2014.
Civilian casualties from targeted killings increased by 57 percent, causing 699 civilian casualties (440 deaths and 259 injured) and became the leading cause of civilian deaths, despite being the fourth leading cause of overall civilian casualties (deaths and injured combined).
