Afghan conflict claims more civilians' lives
February 18, 2015
The number of civilians killed or wounded in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan rose by 22 percent in 2014 to climb to the highest level in five years as NATO troops ended their combat mission, according to a UN report released Wednesday.
"The appalling levels of violence in Afghanistan in 2014 should not be repeated in 2015," said Nicholas Haysom, chief of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).
Both sides at fault
UNAMA found that 10,548 civilian casualties, including 3,699 deaths, occurred in 2014, mostly as a result of ground fighting. Deaths and injuries from ground warfare surged by 54 percent, which the report chalked up to the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by the Taliban - often placed indiscriminately in residential areas. The report also put some blame on the mortars, rockets and grenades used by government forces.
"In communities across Afghanistan, increased ground fighting among parties and more (improvised explosive device) attacks exacted a heavy toll on Afghan civilians," Haysom said, adding that the Taliban and other insurgents should "abide by their public commitments to avoid civilian casualties."
The report gives responsibility for 72 percent of the casualties to the Taliban, with government forces and foreign troops responsible for 14 percent. The remaining casualties could not be clearly attributed to either side.
Taliban members disputed these figures and have repeatedly stated their desire to limit the loss of civilian life. On top of recommending the Taliban cease using IEDs, UNAMA also suggested Kabul could reduce civilian victims of the war by disbanding government militias and holding responsible those members accused of carrying out human rights abuses.
Social and economic consequences
The UN also underscored the dire social and economic consequences of civilian losses. If a man is injured or killed, he leaves his wife as the sole breadwinner of the family, often forcing families to marry off their daughters or send children to work instead of school.
"For Afghan women and children, the anguish of losing a husband and father in the conflict is often only the beginning of their suffering and hardship," said UNAMA Director of Human Rights Georgette Gagnon.
es/sms (AFP, AP, dpa)