UNAMA:
Foreign and Domestic Forces Responsible for more Civilian Deaths
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says Wednesday that Pro-Government Forces were responsible for more civilian deaths than Anti-Government Elements during the first quarter of 2019.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says Wednesday that Pro-Government Forces were responsible for more civilian deaths than Anti-Government Elements during the first quarter of 2019.
According to the report, between 1 January and 31 March 2019, UNAMA attributed 608 civilian casualties (305 deaths and 303 injured) to Pro-Government Forces, representing a 39 per cent increase from the same period last year.
“UNAMA attributed 17 per cent of civilian casualties to the Afghan national security forces, 13 per cent to international military forces, two per cent to pro-Government armed groups, and two per cent to multiple Pro-Government Forces,” the report read.
From 1 January to 31 March 2019, UNAMA documented 1,773 civilian casualties (581 deaths and 1,192 injured), including 582 child casualties (150 deaths and 432 injured).
However, this represents a 23 per cent decrease in overall civilian casualties as compared to the same period last year.
The overall reduction of civilian casualties was driven by a decrease in civilian casualties by suicide improvised explosive device (IED) attacks.
The findings indicate that ground engagements were the leading cause of civilian casualties, causing approximately one third of the total.
The incidents have also affected education.
Between 1 January and 31 March 2019, UNAMA recorded 18 incidents that impacted education, 4 12 of which were attributed to Anti-Government Elements, four to Pro-Government Forces, and two jointly to Anti-Government Elements and Pro-Government Forces, the report said.
UNAMA remains seriously concerned about Anti-Government Element attacks that deliberately target civilians, including the civilian government administration.
