Despite a pact between the United States and Taliban militants, fighting continues to rage in Afghanistan. The UN estimates that over 1,280 Afghan civilians have been killed in the first six months of the year 2020.
The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan state that 1,282 Afghans have been killed and another 2,176 maimed or injured for a tally of 3,458 civilian casualties.
“The reality remains that Afghanistan\’s a deadly place in the world for civilians,” said UNAMA in its mid-year report.
Harrowing figures
Casualties have dropped by 13% from the corresponding period last year. The Taliban were responsible for 43% of all civilian casualties. Moreover, the causes of death are mainly explosive devices, abductions, and executions. Furthermore, the government forces caused 23%, primarily by airstrikes and indirect fire during operations. The UNAMA attributed the decrease to fewer operations by international forces, as well as fewer attacks by Islamic State militants.
Reasons for these claims
In February, the United States and Taliban signed an agreement in Doha.The withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan state in exchange for security guarantees from the militants is in process. However, fighting has spiked in recent weeks. Prompted by differences over a prisoner exchange between the Taliban and Afghan government. Kabul proved reluctant to free hundreds of jailed militants.
The Doha deal provided for Kabul to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners in exchange for hundreds of Afghan troops. This was the main plank in starting peace negotiations between the two sides in the effort to put a stop to the 18-year-old war. While Kabul has released more than 4,000 Taliban prisoners, it has refused to release another 600. Claiming their involvement in murders, illicit drug trafficking, and major attacks.
