NSC blames Taliban for most attacks on civilians

KABUL (UNAMA) on refining its findings to better reflect battlefield statistics.

The National Security Council (NSC) said: “We note the mid-year report by UNAMA and underscore the government’s findings from the field demonstrate that the Taliban are responsible for the vast majority of civilian casualties in Afghanistan …”

Given concerns at the nature of this report, a statement from NSC said, the government remained committed to working with UNAMA on refining its findings to better reflect battlefield statistics.”

It added the recent surge in Taliban attacks and violence against civilians came after their commitment in the US-Taliban deal to bringing down the level of violence.

“To protect civilians from violence and fight COVID-19 and to help peace efforts lead to success, we yet again invite the Taliban to a lasting ceasefire and the immediate start of direct talks,” the council said.

The government maintained a defensive posture for months but the Taliban continued committing violence against the people and infrastructure of Afghanistan, the statement alleged.

Afghan forces had clear orders from the president and security-sector leaders to continue to implement the procedures and policies in place to mitigate harm to civilian lives and property, the statement concluded.

Earlier in the say, the UN mission said at least 1,282 civilians were killed and 2,176 others wounded in the conflict in the first half of 2020.

UNAMA said civilian casualties fell 13 percent compared to the corresponding period of last year. The decline was tied to a reduction in operations by international forces and the Islamic State militant group.

The mission held the Taliban responsible for 43 percent of all casualties, saying the fighters killed 580 civilians and wounded 893 between January 1 and June 30.

According to the report, Afghan security forces killed 281 civilians and wounded 508 others -- 23 percent of the total casualties.

Civilian casualties resulting from Afghan army airstrikes tripled compared to the first half of 2019, the report noted, saying 340 children were also killed and another 727 wounded.

sa/mud