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Aid warning over Afghan violence Aid warning over Afghan violence
(about 4 hours later)
Aid agencies in Afghanistan have warned they may become unable to operate in parts of the country once seen as safe, because of the intensifying conflict.Aid agencies in Afghanistan have warned they may become unable to operate in parts of the country once seen as safe, because of the intensifying conflict.
A statement by 100 aid agencies pointed to a 50% increase in insurgent attacks compared to last year.A statement by 100 aid agencies pointed to a 50% increase in insurgent attacks compared to last year.
Aid agencies were increasingly becoming targets, they said.Aid agencies were increasingly becoming targets, they said.
The groups also criticised the rising number of civilian deaths, which they said were caused mainly by insurgents but also by air strikes. Kabul blamed the rise in insurgent attacks on a truce between Pakistan's government and militants in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.
In their statement, the aid agencies criticised the rising number of civilian deaths, which they said were caused mainly by insurgents but also by international forces' air strikes.
'Grave concern'
In a statement, the Agency Co-ordinating Body for Afghan Relief (Acbar), an umbrella group of non-governmental organisations in Afghanistan, expressed its "grave concern about the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the serious impact on civilians".In a statement, the Agency Co-ordinating Body for Afghan Relief (Acbar), an umbrella group of non-governmental organisations in Afghanistan, expressed its "grave concern about the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan and the serious impact on civilians".
AFGHAN AID ATTACKS 2008: An estimated 84 attacks on aid agencies so far, 21 in JuneJuly 2008: Two French aid workers abducted May 2008: UN shuts a repatriation centre in the east amid unrest Jan 2008: US female NGO worker seized in the southJuly 2007: Two South Korean aid workers shot deadApril 2007: Two French aid workers seized in the south-west March 2007: Gunmen shoot dead a German aid worker in the north
June saw more attacks on NGOs than in any month since the Taleban's overthrow in 2001 and some agencies have been forced to scale back operations, it said.June saw more attacks on NGOs than in any month since the Taleban's overthrow in 2001 and some agencies have been forced to scale back operations, it said.
'Indiscriminate attacks'
Nineteen aid workers have been killed so far this year - more than during the whole of 2007, said Acbar.Nineteen aid workers have been killed so far this year - more than during the whole of 2007, said Acbar.
There were an estimated 560 Taleban attacks in June alone
Some 2,500 people have been killed this year, up to 1,000 of them civilians, Acbar said.Some 2,500 people have been killed this year, up to 1,000 of them civilians, Acbar said.
About 260 civilians were killed in July alone, a higher number than any other month in the past six years, according to the NGOs.About 260 civilians were killed in July alone, a higher number than any other month in the past six years, according to the NGOs.
"So far this year the number of insurgent attacks, bombings and other violent incidents is up by approximately 50% on the same period last year," it said. "So far this year the number of insurgent attacks, bombings and other violent incidents is up by approximately 50% on the same period last year," they said.
Two-thirds of reported civilian casualties could be attributed to insurgent activities, estimated Acbar, "especially the increasing use of suicide bombings and other indiscriminate attacks in civilian areas and the use of civilian property from which to launch attacks".Two-thirds of reported civilian casualties could be attributed to insurgent activities, estimated Acbar, "especially the increasing use of suicide bombings and other indiscriminate attacks in civilian areas and the use of civilian property from which to launch attacks".
'Systematic terror'
But they said the growing number of air strikes by international military forces, up by about 40% on last year, had also contributed.But they said the growing number of air strikes by international military forces, up by about 40% on last year, had also contributed.
'Systematic terror'
Taleban insurgents in the south and east of the country were "mounting an increasingly vigorous, systematic terror campaign of threats, abductions and executions aimed against members of the civilian population".Taleban insurgents in the south and east of the country were "mounting an increasingly vigorous, systematic terror campaign of threats, abductions and executions aimed against members of the civilian population".
Acbar said there had been 463 insurgent attacks in May and 569 in June.Acbar said there had been 463 insurgent attacks in May and 569 in June.
International forces have recourse to massive aerial firepowerInternational forces have recourse to massive aerial firepower
The statement noted that insecurity had spread to previously secure areas, including parts close to the capital, Kabul.The statement noted that insecurity had spread to previously secure areas, including parts close to the capital, Kabul.
Matt Waldman, policy adviser at Oxfam International, one of the NGOs behind the statement, said the work of the agencies was essential.
"Afghanistan is facing a drought," he told the BBC. "There is also a crisis with respect to food prices, which have gone up dramatically."
The number of international troops in Afghanistan has gone up by more than 10,000 in the last year to some 71,000 and Afghan troop levels are estimated to have risen by around the same number.The number of international troops in Afghanistan has gone up by more than 10,000 in the last year to some 71,000 and Afghan troop levels are estimated to have risen by around the same number.
Nato commanders have said violence is up by some 40% in eastern Afghanistan since spring this year, partly due to troops patrolling more areas.Nato commanders have said violence is up by some 40% in eastern Afghanistan since spring this year, partly due to troops patrolling more areas.
Afghanistan's ambassador to the United Nations, Zahir Tanin, said the bloodshed was connected to peace deals Pakistan's four-month-old government had sought with Islamic militants in the north-western tribal areas, over the border.
He told the BBC: "The increase in violence which affected civilians in many areas is mainly related to the fact that a truce in the tribal areas released forces to operate in Afghanistan, forces of al-Qaeda and the Taleban."
He also referred to allegations that members of Pakistan's powerful spy agency had colluded with militants in Afghanistan.
Citing unnamed officials, the New York Times reported that intercepted communications had provided evidence Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence was involved in last month's suicide attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul which killed more than 40 people.
Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq told AFP news agency: "It's rubbish. We totally deny it."


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