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August 9, 2012

Civilian Deaths in Afghanistan Decline for 1st Time in 5 Years 
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Civilian deaths in Afghanistan have declined for the first time in five
years. The deputy chief of the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, Nicholas
Haysom, unveiled the new figures on Wednesday.

Nicholas Haysom: "Civilians deaths and injuries declined by 15 percent
in the first six months of 2012. Despite this reduction in civilian
causalities, overall conflict in Afghanistan continues to inflict a
disproportionate and unacceptable toll on Afghan women, children and
men."

Around a third of those killed or wounded from January through June were
women or children. The U.S.-led NATO occupation force and the Afghan
military accounted for around 14 percent of the deaths. Most NATO
victims died in air strikes.

 

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