UN: Nearly 500 Afghan Civilians Killed in Border Clashes with Pakistan
DID Press: UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says nearly 500 Afghan civilians were killed and more than 1,200 others injured in border hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan from October through the end of June, according to its latest human rights report.
UNAMA said 499 civilians were killed and 1,216 wounded during the reporting period, noting that cross-border violence continued despite international efforts to ease tensions.
The report states that in one incident, civilians attempting to rescue victims of an airstrike were struck by a second attack, raising concerns over compliance with international humanitarian law.
According to UNAMA, the deadliest incident was an airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul in March, which the report says killed hundreds of civilians. Amnesty International has called for the strike to be investigated as a possible war crime.
The mission also reported that airstrikes carried out on June 28 in Paktia Province killed 22 civilians, including five children, in two consecutive strikes on a residential building, while at least 185 others were injured. UNAMA said many of the casualties occurred during the second strike as people were attempting to assist victims of the first attack.
Fiona Frazer, Head of Human Rights at UNAMA, stressed that international humanitarian law provides special protection for medical workers, humanitarian personnel, and first responders, and prohibits attacks against them while performing their duties.
The report notes that tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated in recent months. According to UNAMA, the situation intensified in February after Afghan forces reportedly launched operations inside Pakistan following Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan, prompting Islamabad to declare it was in an “open war.”
In a written response cited by the report, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the Taliban administration had provided an enabling environment for certain armed groups. It maintained that Pakistan’s military operations targeted only identified terrorist hideouts and infrastructure.
UNAMA also expressed concern over the human rights situation of women in Afghanistan, stating that sweeping restrictions remain in place, including bans on education beyond primary school, employment limitations, strict dress requirements, and mandatory male guardianship for travel.
The report further said at least 30 women were arrested in Herat in June for allegedly violating dress regulations. During protests over those arrests, one person was killed and several others were injured.
UNAMA additionally warned that new regulations governing marital separation and marriage contracts could indirectly increase the risk of child marriage.