Sharp rise in children killed and maimed in Afghan war, UN report reveals
Civilian casualty toll in 2016 was highest in 15 years, with 923 children killed and 2,589 injured, mainly from ground engagements
Sune Engel Rasmussen in Kabul
Monday 6 Febrbruary 2017 01.00 EST
The number of children killed and maimed in the Afghan war increased dramatically last year, according to the UN, which has documented the highest civilian casualty toll in the country since 2001.
In a report released on Monday, the UN documented 11,418 casualties, a 3% increase since 2015, including 3,498 deaths.
Child casualties rose 24% – to 923 killed and 2,589 wounded – mainly as a result of ground engagements closer to residential areas, and explosive remnants of war.
While the total number of killed marked a slight drop, the number of injured has grown 6% since 2016.
“It is about time the various parties to the conflict ceased the relentless commission of war crimes and thought about the harm they are doing to their mothers, fathers, children and future generations by continuing to fuel this senseless, never-ending conflict,” said Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, the UN high commissioner for human rights.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/06/afghanistan-civilian-casualties-children-killed-maimed-un-report