KABUL (SW): The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Monday confirmed 107 casualties (36 killed and 71 injured), of which 81 were children, in air raids on a religious school on the 2 April 2018 in the Dasht-e-Archi district of Kunduz province.
In a press release here, the UNAMA presented its findings, including verification of 107 casualties (36 killed and 71 injured), of which 81 were children, although the report notes that UNAMA received additional credible information indicating higher figures.
The report is based upon more than 90 interviews with victims, witnesses, government officials and medical personnel; three large community consultations in Kunduz city; and accounts received during a fact-finding mission to the site of the attack.
A key finding of this report is that the government, which indicated the airstrike targeted senior Taliban leaders present in the area, used rockets and heavy machinegun fire on and around a religious gathering, killing and injuring civilians, the majority of whom were children.
The report details how UNAMA was not able to confirm the civilian status of each individual killed or injured, nor was the mission in a position to determine the presence or actions of Taliban leaders or units at the time of the airstrike.
The report makes several recommendations to the government, including conducting a review of military policies to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law to protect civilians at all times.
ENDS
