Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Over 1,000 Afghan civilians killed this year: UN
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Over 1,000 Afghan civilians killed this year: UN
AFP - Saturday, August 1
KABUL (AFP) - - Afghanistan's intensifying conflict killed more than 1,000 civilians in the first six months of 2009, an increase of nearly a quarter over the same period last year, the United Nations said Friday.
ADVERTISEMENT
This year has been the bloodiest in a Taliban-led insurgency that has drawn thousands of international military reinforcements, most of them deploying into areas where a strong militant presence could prevent August 20 elections.
The boost in troop numbers -- now roughly 90,000 -- was one reason for the higher toll of 1,013 dead civilians, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Human Rights Unit.
Nearly 60 percent of the civilian deaths so far this year were caused by insurgents, 30 percent by pro-government military forces and the rest unattributable to any party to the conflict.
The same period last year saw 818 civilians killed in insurgency-linked violence. In the first six months of 2007, 684 were killed -- 41 percent by security forces and 46 percent by militants, it said in a report.
"The armed conflict intensified significantly throughout Afghanistan in 2008 and in the first six months of 2009, with a corresponding rise in civilian casualties and a significant erosion of humanitarian space," the unit said.
Reasons for the surge in violence were increased military operations in civilian areas, more complex insurgent attacks and a crackdown on extremists in neighbouring Pakistan that forced fighters into Afghanistan.
Militant activity was also sustained during the winter, unlike in previous years when there had been a lull in fighting, it said.
Almost a third of Afghanistan was now directly affected by insurgent activities with civilians bearing the brunt of the fighing, it added.
"In addition to the sharp increase in civilian deaths, vulnerable groups are also suffering in terms of destruction of vital infrastructure, loss of income and earning opportunities, and deterioration of access to essential services."
Most civilians were killed by insurgent bombs, called improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and suicide attacks, the report said.
The widespread use of IEDs "contributes to a climate of fear and intimidation that has significant repercussions for Afghan civilians, including in particular in terms of loss of life and livelihoods," it said.
Militants often target security forces but with no regard for the impact of their operations on civilians, it said.
The unit also said that militants based themselves in civilian areas as part of "an active policy aimed at drawing a military response to areas where there is a high likelihood that civilians will be killed or injured."
A new trend was the use of bombs that could be magnetically attached to vehicles. Schools, particularly for girls, came under increasing attack with 16 IED explosions on school premises this year.
International air strikes killed just over 64 percent of those civilians killed in military action and 20 percent of all civilian deaths from January to June, the report said.
These figures were down slightly and followed efforts to minimise the impact of military operations on civilians, the report said.
Such killings by pro-government forces created a "strong feeling of anger and disappointment among the Afghan general public" which undermined support for the international community generally, it said.
More has to be done by all, in particular the armed opposition, to reduce the impact of operations and activities on civilians, the report concluded.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Nepal Gurkhas name beauty spot after 'Ab Fab' starAFP - Saturday, August 1
Japanese unemployment hits six-year highAFP - Saturday, August 1
One-child policy debate reignited in ChinaAFP - Friday, July 31
Emotional reunion for long-lost mongrel 'Muffy'AFP - Saturday, August 1
Myanmar court delays Suu Kyi verdictAFP - Friday, July 31
Enlarge Photo
Over 1,000 Afghan civilians killed this year: UN
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Custody deal agreed for Jackson's children
Sunbeds elevated to top cancer risk level: WHO
Beer flows as Obama tries to cool down a hot furor
Comets probably won't cause the end of life as we know it: study
Eurofighter deal worth 9 bln euros signed: Berlin
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Saturday, 1 August 2009 29 killed in wave of bombings at Iraq mosques
Croatia, Slovenia optimistic of resolving border row
Washington Post stems tide of red ink
Space shuttle Endeavour lands safely after 16-day mission
Ten killed as Baghdad Shiite mosques bombed
Virtual education... for free
Ex-Soviet states seek to mend rifts in 'Russian NATO'
Recession end seen as US GDP drop narrows to 1.0 pct
Britain ends troop presence in Iraq after six years
Spain on high alert as ETA marks anniversary
Shuttle Endeavour lands safely after 16-day mission
Blast at French bell foundry leaves 46 injured
Madonna writes of her spiritual awakening
Over 1,000 Afghan civilians killed this year: UN
Apple fixes iPhone SMS vulnerability
| Technology
|
Global mobile market bottoms, grows anew: iSuppli
| Technology
|
Interim Honduran leader says President will not return to power
Feds seize heroin worth $17 million in California
Analysis: White House beers a way to change topic
Ala. ban of wine with nude label is marketing boon
House acts to improve absentee ballot tracking
Pakistan eyes $75 bln investment: minister
Loss-hit Air India to cancel six Boeing planes
China requests EU talks in fastener trade dispute
India property giant DLF post 79% fall in profit
Sri Lanka wants $500 mln to rebuild after war
Sexist bosses in Italy could face jail: report
Mixed fortunes for Japan's top banks
Film The Cove seeks to expose dolphin killings
| Entertainment
|
Kenya's Kalenjin tribe still on war footing
Warsaw's 1944 revolt is etched in veteran's memory
Peter Andre wins libel case over sex claims
| Entertainment
|
Gay pride march paints Stockholm rainbow-coloured
France losing foreign tourists
Australian film festival hit by Chinese boycott in Uighur row
Cannes-honoured Philippine film gets censors' nod
Quakers approve gay weddings in Britain
Organic food not healthier: study
Foreigners, possibly Americans, missing in Iraq
Spain condemns ETA, bomb victims mourned
Cory Aquino dies; Philippine people power heroine
| International
|
Apple releases software update for iPhone vulnerability
Saudi Arabia rejects U.S. pleas on Israel
US on track to pump $2 bln into cash-for-clunkers program
Bitter Turkey marks 50 years at Europe's door
Top senator in US health care debate announces cancer
Honduras leader firm against world pressure
| International
|
Clinton says no decision to ease Sudan sanctions
Firefox passes one billion downloads
Iran starts moderates' trial for post-vote unrest
| International
|
Amazon sued over deleted Orwell books
Afghan insurgent attacks leave 17 dead, many hurt
Bombs kill at least 28 near Baghdad mosques
| International
|
Space shuttle Endeavour lands safely after 16-day mission
Turkish navy commandos seize pirates off Somalia
N.Korea says South Korean boat seized for intrusion
| International
|
Bombs near Baghdad mosques kill 26
Iran's Ahmadinejad warns rivals their plans will fail
Saudi Arabia rejects U.S. pleas on Israel
| International
|
Clinton says no decision to ease Sudan sanctions
| International
|
Cory Aquino dies; Philippine people power heroine
Saudi rebuffs US appeals for israel peace gestures
Bitter-sweet Ponting proud to make Border crossing
Yahoo Labs chief sees real-time search opportunity
| Technology
|
Pakistan court overturns 2007 emergency rule
FCC seeks details on Google app rejection for iPhone
| Technology
|
Musharraf trampled constitution-Pakistan court
China says Xinjiang riot media openness a success
U.S. health reform gets House boost
India to assess climate gain and pump millions in forests
China-based cyber attack hits Australia film festival site
| Technology
|
U.S. House Democrats "pull together" on health bill
Unexploded ordnance a lethal problem in Vietnam
Recession end seen as US GDP drop narrows to 1.0 pct
Honda recalls 440,000 US vehicles
India's private airlines threaten stoppage on domestic routes
WTO takes up China-US dispute over poultry
Q&A: Juliette Lewis pushes to the limit with new band
| Entertainment
|
Billboard singles reviews: Brad Paisley, Jay-Z
| Entertainment
|
In Cuba, Del Toro wins award with Murray on hand
Escaped Magic ShowTiger Recaptured While Roaming Vegas Streets
Gwyneth Paltrow Feels "Pure" After Three Weeks Of Detoxing With Pumpkin Seeds, Coconut Water
Heidi Klum Suffering From Unusual Side Effects During Pregnancy
Saudi Bank Employees Get Flack For Dance Video
Top Iran reformer tells trial vote was 'clean'
Russia warns of force if more Georgia 'provocations'
FCC asks Apple, AT&T why Google Voice rejection
100 on trial after Iran post-election riots: report
Russia to station more troops in Kyrgyzstan: agreement
Pakistan arrests suspect in Marriott hotel bombing
| International
|
Iraqis fear al Qaeda violence after mosque bombs
| International
|
North Korea says South Korean boat seized for intrusion
| International
|
Residents venture out after Nigerian unrest
| International
|
French soldier killed in Afghanistan, two wounded
| International
|
Russia trumps U.S. with new Central Asia army base
| International
|
Russia's Putin inspects crystals in deepest lake
| International
|
Bush urges unified warning against North Korea
Sushi and fresh underpants await landed astronaut
Obama: stimulus helped 'put brakes' on recession
Fiji silent on Commonwealth ultimatum
Gay protests as Australia affirms gay marriage ban
New Zealanders opt to be knights and dames
Court Orders Boston University Graduate Student To Pay Nearly $700,000 For Illegal Music Downloads
S.Korea fishing boat 'illegally intruded': Pyongyang
Developing: LaGuardia Airport Locks Down Terminal, Detains Suspect In Security Scare
N.Korea says South Korean boat seized for intrusion
Defective Airbag Inflator Prompts Recall Of 440,000 Honda Cars
Bill Would Allow Stockholders To Vote On Pay Limits
Philippines in 10-day mourning for Aquino
Honda Recalls 440,000 More Cars For Defective Airbags
House Rushes To Save Clunkers Program From Early Demise
Pentagon Hacker's Mom Seeks Obama's Help In Blocking Autistic Son's Extradition, Trial In U.S.
Obama Meets Philippine Leader At White House
Obama See Positive Signs In Improved Economic Numbers
Gay Marriage Opponents In Maine Submit Petition Seeking November Referendum
SKorea posts sixth straight surplus
Taiwan, China oil firms to seek undersea reserves
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights