Afghan Civilian Deaths Up by a Third, U.N. Reports

Anti-government forces caused about three-quarters of the casualties

A man waits to receive treatment from a doctor for injuries sustained during a suicide bomb attack in an Afghan hospital on July 18, 2010 in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Photo credit: Majid Saeedi / Getty Images file)

The Associated Press and Reuters via MSNBC.com
August 10, 2010

KABUL, Afghanistan — The number of civilians killed or wounded in the Afghan conflict rose 31 percent in the first six months of the year, with anti-government forces causing about three-quarters of the casualties, the United Nations said in a report Tuesday.

“Afghan children and women are increasingly bearing the brunt of the conflict,” said Staffan de Mistura, the special representative of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and the U.N.’s top envoy to the country.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in its mid-year report that 1,271 Afghans died and 1,997 were injured — mostly from roadside bombings — in the first six months of the year.

The Taliban and other insurgents, described in the report as “anti-government elements” were responsible for 76 percent of the 2,477 deaths and injuries suffered by civilians in the period, up from 53 percent in 2009.

Deaths and injuries among children attributed to such anti-government agents were up 55 percent from 2009, the report said.

‘We are worried’

“The human cost of this conflict is unfortunately rising,” De Mistura said. “We are worried. We are concerned. We are very concerned about the future because the human cost is being paid too heavily by civilians. This report is a wake-up call.” …

The report said that 386, or 12 percent, of the Afghan casualties were due to U.S., NATO and other pro-government forces. That percentage was down from 30 percent during the first six months of last year, primarily because of a decrease in aerial attacks, the report said.

According to the report:

• The number of civilians assassinated and executed by anti-government forces rose by more than 95 percent.
• 176 children were killed and 389 others were wounded.
• Homemade explosive devices accounted for 29 percent of all civilian deaths, including 74 children.
• Aerial attacks by international forces caused 69 of the 223 civilian deaths and injured 45 civilians.

Anger at civilian deaths

The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission on Sunday put the number of civilian deaths over the first seven months of the year at 1,325, what it said was a rise of about six percent over the same period in 2009.

It said about 68 percent of those deaths were caused by insurgents and about 23 percent by Afghan and international forces.

General Stanley McChrystal, the former commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, last year issued a new tactical directive to limit the use of air strikes after a spate of deadly incidents involving civilians.

That directive has been tightened even further since General David Petraeus replaced McChrystal in June.

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Related reports on this site

Support for Afghan War Plummets (Aug. 4, 2010)

A crowd of Afghan protesters destroy a car during clashes with police following Friday prayers in Kabul on July 30, 2010. Rioting erupted when scores of Afghan men set fire to two U.S. embassy vehicles after one collided with a civilian car killing a number of occupants, officials and witnesses said. (Photo credit: Yuri Cortez / AFP — Getty Images)

Afghan War Deadlier Than Ever (July 31, 2010)

Reuters

Iraq Civilian Deaths at 2-Year High (Aug. 1, 2010)

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: One Year Ago — August 13, 2009

Slide presentation

On the front lines in Afghanistan (MSNBC) — U.S. troops are fighting to suppress the Taliban and win over the Afghan people.

Marine Offensive in Afghanistan

One year ago today, I reported that U.S. Marines surging into Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, to protect citizens ahead of the August 20 national election were meeting fierce resistance from the Taliban.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES: Two Years Ago — August 13, 2008

On the Campaign Trail: Day 30

Two years ago today, on the 30th day of my 2008 campaign against U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann in Minnesota’s 6th Congressional District, I continued my 100-mile Sixth District Walking Tour, setting out on foot from Salida and proceeding south along Highway 10 to Big Lake, Elk River, Ramsey, and Anoka.

Starting third leg of Sixth District walking tour, Salida.

Sixth District Republican Challenger Learning the District a Foot at a Time

By T.W. Budig
ECM Capitol reporter
August 13, 2008

Excerpts

“It’s a lonely job out here,” said Aubrey Immelman, 6th Congressional District Republican challenger.

While 6th District Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, R-Stillwater, was appearing on CNN today (Aug. 13), Immelman was plodding down Highway 10 intent on reaching Anoka.

The journey is part of Immelman’s campaign strategy to cross the big district on foot to advertise his challenge to Bachmann in the Sept. 9 primary. …

“I’m just outside of Big Lake but I’m going to press on to Anoka if I can, even if I don’t get there by eight (p.m.),” he said.

If Immelman succeeds in reaching the Halloween Capitol of World he would have hoofed about 26 miles. …

Full story