In July 2008, PeacePundit summarized two news reports indicating that violent civilian deaths in Afghanistan 2008 were on the rise, suggesting that 2008 would be a bad year for Afghan civilians.
Sadly, that trend held throughout 2008, causing violent Afghan civilian deaths to hit a new record: 2118 according to a study by the United Nations. More than half of those deaths were caused by insurgent actions, but Afghan President Hamid Karzai called on foreign forces — specifically NATO troops — to increase their efforts to avoid civilian casualties. In response, a U.S. General lamented civilian deaths caused by NATO actions, and promised to increase efforts to reduce the civilian casualties. Stories excerpted below.
U.N. News Centre, 17 Feb 2009
Number of Afghan Civilian Deaths in 2008 Highest Since Taliban Ouster, says UN
The number of Afghan civilian casualties in 2008 — 2,118 — is the highest recorded since the ouster of the Taliban in 2001, the U.N. said in a new report, which calls on all parties to ensure the protection of innocents.
The number … represents an almost 40 per cent increase over 2007, when 1,523 people lost their lives due to conflict, …
Of the 2,118 casualties …, 55 per cent … were attributed to anti-government elements (AGEs) and 39 per cent … to pro-government forces. The remaining six per cent … could not be attributed to any of the parties since some of them died as a result of crossfire or were killed by unexploded ordinance, for example, says the Mission.
“The 2008 civilian death toll is thus the highest of any year since the end of major hostilities which resulted in the demise of the Taliban regime at the end of 2001,” says the Mission. “This … pattern demands that the parties … take all necessary measures to avoid the killing of civilians.”
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The 1,160 civilians killed by anti-government elements represent an increase of 65% over 2007 figures. The vast majority — 85 per cent — of them died as a result of suicide and improvised explosive devises.
Meanwhile, air-strikes were responsible for the largest percentage — 64% — of civilian deaths attributed to pro-government forces last year, …
“While pro-government forces have instituted a number of changes to tactical directives, more needs to be done to avoid the loss of innocent lives. … ,” UNAMA said in a press release.
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According to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), attacks on schools and educational facilities rose by 24 per cent, from 236 incidents reported in 2007 to 293 in 2008.
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Associated Press, 20 April 2009
U.S. General Bemoans Afghan Civilian Deaths
by Jason Straziuso, Associated Press
Kabul, Afghanistan — The top U.S. general in Afghanistan said Sunday there wasn’t enough money in the world to replace the loss of an Afghan civilian, in comments that followed repeated calls by President Hamid Karzai for explanations of civilian deaths.
Gen. David McKiernan said international forces do make mistakes – “and for that I apologize” – but that U.S. and NATO forces are working hard to minimize civilian deaths during operations.
Karzai on Saturday asked McKiernan to explain allegations of six civilian deaths in two incidents. It was the second time in three days Karzai brought up the topic with him. …
McKiernan, during a news conference Sunday alongside the Afghan defense minister, was asked repeatedly about civilian casualties by Afghan media, underscoring how deeply the topic reverberates here. McKiernan noted that international forces investigate all allegations of civilian deaths and pay compensation for wrongful deaths.
“Apologies are not sufficient, so we do try to compensate families and communities where we’ve made mistakes. But that’s not sufficient either. In fact, there is nothing I could do or say that would replace the loss of a loved one,” the four-star general said. “There’s not enough money in the world to replace the loss of a family member.”
Karzai has long complained about civilian deaths caused by international forces. Last year, McKiernan implemented new rules intended to cut down on the deaths of innocent Afghans, but they still occur, especially in nighttime raids.
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Other Sources on Afghan Civilian Deaths
- BBC: Alarm Over Afghan Civilian Deaths
- CNN: Afghan Civilian Deaths Rise Sharply in 2008
- Wikipedia: Civilian casualties of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
