KABUL for nearly 90 percent of all civilian casualties.
Commenting on the 2013 UN report on civilian casualties, the NATO-led force said it acknowledged that one harmed civilian was one too many.
“Their indiscriminate use of improvised explosive devices and attacks on coalition and Afghan forces from civilian homes are a grave violation of international law,” it said.
The Taliban continued to attack mosques and healthcare facilities and schools, a statement from the multinational force said.
“These persistent actions, including increased violence against women and religious elders, demonstrate the Taliban’s disregard for human life…” it added.
According to ISAF figures, civilians killed and wounded by coalition forces declined by 60 percent in 2013. Civilian casualties resulting from airstrikes fell even further, down by 80 percent.
The reductions were called a direct result of ISAF’s commitment to enforcing strict operational discipline to avoid engagements that could result in civilian casualties.
Pledging to protect Afghan citizens, ISAF said: “Throughout 2014, we will work with our Afghan partners to ensure we continue to take all actions necessary to reduce civilian casualties.”
pr/mud
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