Afghanistan: record civilian casualities in 2021- UN report

In the first half of 2021,the number of civilians killed or injured in escalating violence has risen to record levels in Afghanistan. As per UN report, Afghanistan has recorded more than 1,600 civilian deaths so far in 2021. That's a 47 per cent rise compared to this time last year. And the UN has warned that the number of deaths could rise still further.  Afghan Government forces have been fighting Taliban insurgents, who now control large parts of the country. Most international forces have now been withdrawn after a mission lasting nearly 20 years.
Casualties in May and June rose to their highest for this period since the UN began recording the numbers in 2009. According to the UN report, anti-government forces were responsible for 64 per cent of civilian casualties. Pro-government forces accounted for 25 per cent and 11 per cent are blamed on crossfire. Of all casualties, 32 per cent were children. The report provides a clear warning that unprecedented numbers of Afghan civilians will perish and be maimed this year if the increasing violence is not stemmed. Peace talks between the two sides are moving slowly. UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons urged both sides to take heed of the conflict's grim and chilling trajectory. 

Meanwhile, a top US Commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said, their forces would continue carrying out air strikes in support of Afghan troops. He said, a Taliban victory was not inevitable. Afghan officials imposed a month-long night curfew across most of the country on Saturday to try to halt a Taliban invasion of cities.