The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), in a released report on Wednesday (24 April) has voiced serious concerns over large numbers of civilian casualties in Afghanistan in 2019.

The report said that in the first three months the current year, 581 civilians were killed and 1,192 wounded. However, it said that the number represents a 23 percent decrease in overall casualties on the same quarter last year.

The reported added that pro-government forces were responsible for the deaths of 305 civilians, while insurgents killed 227. Airstrikes and ground search operations were the leading causes of civilian deaths, according to the report.

UNAMA has urged Afghan and NATO troops to investigate the casualties.

“UNAMA urges both the Afghan national security forces and international military forces to conduct investigations into allegations of civilian casualties, to publish the results of their findings, and to provide compensation to victims as appropriate,” the report stated.

The report comes days after an attack on the Ministry of Telecommunications that claimed the lives of seven civilians. Taliban spokesman rejected involvement in the attack, but later IS-K claimed responsibility for the incident.

Arezo news website – Humayun Salimi