UN: Civilian casualties in Afghanistan down slightly

0
196

Huge crowd of protesters in Kabul

Civilian casualties as a result of the continued conflict in Afghanistan decreased slightly in the first quarter of 2017, a report published by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) revealed on Thursday.

UNAMA recorded 2,181 civilian casualties, 715 dead and 1,466 injured, in the first quarter, a decrease of four per cent compared to the same period in 2016.

Although ground engagements between Afghan security forces and insurgent groups remained the highest cause of civilian casualties at 35 per cent, these saw a 19-per-cent decline from 2016.

UNAMA said the decrease may be related to the large, “movement of civilians from several areas severely affected by conflict,” and not due to a decline in the rate of fighting.

A total of 652,594 people were displaced by armed conflict in Afghanistan in 2016, the highest number on record so…

Read More…..PM News