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Afghan civilian deaths 'increase' | Afghan civilian deaths 'increase' |
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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. | 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. |
In June the US military acknowledged concerns about the civilian deaths. | 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. | 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 next month. | |
Civilian targets | |
The report says insurgents were responsible for more deaths than government-allied forces. | |
There has been widespread concern about civilian death tolls | |
But it noted that two-thirds of the deaths caused by government-allied forces came in air strikes. | |
It said the rising death toll was partly due to the fact that militants were deliberately basing themselves in residential districts. | |
The report also highlighted the increasingly sophisticated tactics used by insurgents. | |
It said there had been a rise in co-ordinated attacks using suicide bombers and explosives to target government offices. | |
In those attacks, civilians were always singled out and killed. | |
In the most recent of these attacks, gunmen and suicide bombers targeted Gardez and Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan killing five people. | |
Presidential elections | |
The report also noted that militants increasingly bombed the cars of civilians who work with government or international troops. | |
Civilian deaths rose every month this year compared with 2008, except for February. | |
May was cited as the deadliest month for civilians with 261 killed. | |
Elections are due to take place amid tight security on 20 August when Mr Karzai is hoping to secure a second term. | |
In the past week alone there have been two attacks on Afghan election campaigns. | |
On Tuesday a campaign manager for presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah was wounded when his vehicle was attacked in Laghman province. | |
Two days earlier there was an assassination attempt on Mohammed Qasim Fahim, a running mate of President Hamid Karzai. |