KABUL (SW) – The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan on Thursday confirmed 14 civilian have been killed in recent air strikes.
In a tweet, UNAMA urged all warring sides to respect international obligations to protect civilians from harm.
“Civilian casualty toll from airstrikes in #Afghanistan continues to rise. Latest verified data: 20 & 22 May attacks in #Helmand (Greshk) & #Kunar (Chawki) killed 14 civilians, inc 5 women & 7 children. Parties must respect international obligations to protect civilians from harm”. It tweeted.
A UNAMA report last month documented a total of 1,773 civilian casualties (581 deaths and 1,192 injured), including 582 child casualties (150 deaths and 432 injured) between January 1 and March 31 this year.
The UNAMA documented increased harm to civilians from aerial and search operations, with the highest number of civilian casualties recorded from each of these tactic types in the first quarter of any year since UNAMA began systematic documentation.
It said Pro- Government Forces carried out 43 aerial operations in the first quarter of 2019 that resulted in 228 civilian casualties (145 deaths, 83 injured), with international military forces responsible for 39 of these operations resulting in 219 civilian casualties (140 deaths, 79 injured).
Women and children comprised half of the civilian casualties from all aerial operations.
ENDS
