UN warns of Afghan civilian deaths from Taliban offensives

KABUL AFP July26, 2021- The United Nations warned Monday that Afghanistan could see the highest number of civilian deaths in more than a decade if the Taliban’s offensives across the country are not halted.   

Violence has surged since early May when the insurgents cranked up operations to coincide with a final withdrawal of US-led foreign forces.   

In a report released Monday documenting civilian casualties for the first half of 2021, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it expected figures to touch their highest single-year levels since the mission began reporting over a decade ago.   

It also warned that Afghan troops and pro-government forces were responsible for a quarter of all civilian casualties.   

 “I implore the Taliban and Afghan leaders to take heed to the conflict’s grim and chilling trajectory and its devastating impact on civilians.” UNAMA head Deborah Lyons said.During the first half of 2021, some 1,659 civilians were killed and another 3,254 wounded, the UNAMA report said -- a 47 percent increase on the same period last year.