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.
Kabul blamed the rise in insurgent attacks on a truce between Pakistan's government and militants in tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.
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.
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'
'Grave concern'
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".
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
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.
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.
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," they 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".
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.
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.
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.
International forces have recourse to massive aerial firepower
International forces have recourse to massive aerial firepower
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.
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 also referred to allegations that members of Pakistan's powerful spy agency had colluded with militants in Afghanistan.
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.
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."
Pakistan foreign ministry spokesman Mohammad Sadiq told AFP news agency: "It's rubbish. We totally deny it."
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