WASHINGTON - U.S officials have said that Washington will help the Afghan forces reduce civilian casualties in the ongoing war in the country.
General Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Tuesday that one of the main reasons behind the rise in civilian casualties is the increase in air raids conducted by Afghan troops.
"Mr. President (Barack Obama) recognized when he approved the request that Secretary Carter made for 2017 and as the secretary said that some areas still lag in terms of capability of the Afghan forces and our continued presence in 2017 and financial support by NATO nations has approved at Warsaw that will continue until 2020," he said.
He added: "Almost 90 percent of casualties in that report were attributable to the Taliban and while it did indicate that the increased number of casualties occurred as a result of actions by Afghan security forces and I do believe that they have taken every possible measure to mitigate the risk of civilian casualties."
Meanwhile, the United Nations once again called on warring sides to pay attention to civilians' lives.
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General said: "5,166 civilians were recorded killed or maimed in just six months of this year of whom almost one third were children. This represents an increase of four percent the total number of casualties compared to the first six months of 2015 and is the highest half-year total since 2009. Anti-government elements remain responsible for the majority 60 percent of civilian casualties."
Save the Children also said that the death of 400 children and wounding of more than 1,121 others in the first six months of this year was a cause for concern. (Tolonews)