Afghanistan - civilian deaths

Civilian deaths up ten per cent

Article published on the 2009-12-29 Latest update 2009-12-29 15:34 TU

A boy runs through a Kabul cemetery
(Photo: Reuters)

Civilian deaths in Afghanistan rose ten per cent in the first ten months of 2009, according to figures released by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Unama) published Tuesday.

The Unama figures show 2,038 civilians killed in the Afghan conflict during the first three months of 2009. The comparable figure for 2008 was 1,838, meaning a rise of 10.8 per cent.

The vast majority - 1,404 - were killed by insurgents fighting to overthrow President Hamid Karzai's government, according to the UN figures.

Pro-government forces, including the Nato-led international force Isaf, were responsible for 468 deaths, while Unama blames "other actors" for 166.

The total for all of 2008 - 2,118 - was the highest civilian death toll since the US-led invasion of 2001. Civilian deaths at the hands of international troops have led to dozens of protests and caused Karzai to protest to foreign countries with troops in Afghanistan.

Karzai on Monday ordered an inquiry into reports that Western troops killed ten civilians, including eight schoolchildren, in eastern Kunar province. Isaf says it has no knowledge of the incident.

In an apparently unrelated incident in western Badghis province, an Afghan soldier opened fire on foreign troops, military officials say.

A US soldier and two Italians were wounded, although the Italians have since returned to duty.