UN: Over 10,000 Civilians Killed or Wounded in Afghanistan Last Year

The United Nations has addressed the situation of violence and related casualties in Afghanistan in a report. According to this report, the number of Afghan civilian deaths or injuries in 2017 was over 10,000. The report states that bombings and suicide attacks by militants are the primary cause of civilian casualties in Afghanistan. Reports indicate that the U.S. has intensified its military policies in Afghanistan since August of last year, leading to an increase in militant operations. In Kabul alone, 150 civilians have been killed in recent weeks. The UN report provides more detailed statistics: in the last year, 3,438 people were killed and 7,015 were injured in Afghanistan. Overall, the casualty figures have decreased by 9% compared to the previous year. One notable point in the report is the high number of casualties resulting from militant bombings, with civilians being the main victims. The report states, '27% of the total number of injured are due to militant attacks that deliberately target civilians.' Throughout the years that the UN has monitored casualties in Afghanistan, 2009 is recorded as the deadliest year. On May 31 of that year, a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle, killing 92 civilians and injuring 491. The report indicates that two-thirds of the casualties last year were due to attacks by anti-government militants. 42% of these attacks were carried out by the Taliban, 10% by Islamic State militants, and 13% by anti-government militants without clear leadership. The UN report states that pro-government forces are responsible for one-fifth of civilian casualties in the country. Afghan military forces account for 16% of civilian casualties, international forces for 2%, and pro-government armed groups for 1%. The UN has stated that airstrikes by government and international forces accounted for 6% of civilian casualties. With 295 civilian deaths and 336 injuries in 2017, casualties from airstrikes increased by 7% compared to the previous year. Ground conflicts are identified as the second leading cause of civilian casualties in the report, with this statistic decreasing to 19% compared to the previous year, 2016. The report notes that women and children have suffered significantly from this violence, with 359 women killed last year, reflecting a 5% increase from the previous year. Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, stated, 'Civilians in Afghanistan have been killed in their daily lives; while traveling by bus, worshipping in mosques, or simply passing by buildings targeted in attacks.' He added, 'Such attacks are prohibited under international law and can often constitute war crimes. The perpetrators of such attacks must be identified and held accountable.'