KABUL - Figures from Civilian Protection Advocacy Group (CPAG) reveal civilian casualties have again surged in 23 provinces of the country.
Civilian fatalities almost doubled in May, coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan, compared to figures for March. CPAG figures show 529 civilians were killed or injured in May.
The statistics indicate 189 innocent people were killed and 340 others injured. with most of the casualties occurring in Kabul, Nangarhar, Herat, Ghazni and Helmand provinces.
Children suffered huge casualties as 33 of them were killed and 34 others injured in May, compared to figures for the previous months.
In May, 13 women were killed and 9 others injured. This shows a surge in the number of women victims of the war.
Most of civilian casualties resulted from landmines, suicide attacks, explosions and targeted killings. In such incidents, 260 civilians killed or wounded.
Airstrikes are the second biggest source of fatalities among noncombatants, as 68 of them were killed or injured in last month.
People expected the conflict would abate during Ramadan, but instead it intensified and caused more civilian casualties.
CPAG once again called on the warring sides to be careful about civilian lives and put an end to the humanitarian tragedy in the country.
The group asked the UN and human rights organisations to press the warring sides to reduce the collateral damage. It also urges national and international media outlets to focus more on covering civilian deaths in Afghanistan.
CPAG once again asked international forces, Taliban and other militant groups to protect civilian lives during the conflict.
Comprised of 20 civil society institutions, te group publishes casualty figures every month and advocates for civilian protection.  (Pajhwok)