This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/8177935.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Afghan civilian deaths 'increase' | Afghan civilian deaths 'increase' |
(20 minutes later) | |
The number of civilians killed in the conflict in Afghanistan so far this year has risen by 24% compared with the same period last year, the UN says. | The number of civilians killed in the conflict in Afghanistan so far this year has risen by 24% compared with the same period last year, the UN says. |
More than 1,000 people were killed in the first six months of the year, according to a UN report. | |
It blamed insurgents for using increasingly deadly modes of attack. It also said air strikes by government-allied forces were responsible. | It blamed insurgents for using increasingly deadly modes of attack. It also said air strikes by government-allied forces were responsible. |
There has been widespread concern in Afghanistan about civilian death tolls. | There has been widespread concern in Afghanistan about civilian death tolls. |
The report says insurgents were responsible for more deaths than government-allied forces. | |
But, it added, that the rising death toll was partly due to the fact that militants were taking cover in civilian areas. | |
In June the US military acknowledged concerns about the civilian deaths. | |
Gen Stanley MacChrystal, the new commander of US and Nato-led troops in Afghanistan said troops must make protecting Afghan civilians a priority. | |
But, the UN warned more civilians may be killed as militants battle a major offensive by US forces ahead of key elections. |