Afghanistan: Pro-Gov't Forces Behind Sharp Jump in Civilian Casualties

The report, released by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), found that within the first three months of 2016, 127 people had been killed and a further 242 wounded by pro-government forces fighting against extremist groups in the country. Overall, 600 civilians were killed and 1,343 wounded during the same period.

While anti-government forces — principally the Taliban — were responsible for 60 percent of casualties, concern is growing at the rate at which civilians are being either killed or wounded by pro-government forces, which increased by 70 percent compared to the same period of time last year.

Civilian Sites Being Used

There are concerns over the tactics of some forces amid reports militia groups are using civilian sites, such as schools, as a base for military purposes, effectively exposing civilians to attacks.

"UNAMA notes with extreme concern that increased fighting in populated areas continues to kill and injure women and children at higher rates than the general population," the report said.

The findings revealed a five percent increase in female casualties and a sharp jump of 29 percent in the number of children killed or wounded in Afghanistan compared to the same period of time last year.

"In the first quarter of 2016, almost one third of civilian casualties were children," said Danielle Bell, UNAMA's Human Rights Director.

"If the fighting persists near schools, playgrounds, homes and clinics, and parties continue to use explosive weapons in those areas — particularly mortars and IED tactics, these appalling numbers of children killed and maimed will continue."

Taliban Concerns Remain

The figures come amid increasing concern over the ability of local Afghan forces to hold back Taliban insurgents who threaten to take back some parts of the country.

Taliban officials last week announced the beginning of a 'Spring Offensive' against foreign troops still stationed in the country, with the group responsible for a number of suicide bombings in Afghanistan in recent times.

The threat of the Taliban, and the perceived weakness of local forces and other government-affiliated groups led US President Barack Obama to halt the withdrawal of US troops in the country until 2017, while 150 extra soldiers were deployed to Afghanistan's volatile Helmand province earlier this year to support Afghan government forces.

Critics have accused the US and other western nations of committing to a hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan after 15 years of intervention in the country, which many say has enabled the Taliban to wrest back control in some of its former strongholds.