KABUL - In response to a UN report on civilian casualties, the Afghan government on Tuesday said it was taking ‘concrete steps’ to protect civilians and provide aid to survivors and the displaced.
“The three-pronged approach – protection, mitigation and relief – remains a priority at the highest levels of government and security sector leadership,” a statement from the National Security Council (NSC) said.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in a report released Tuesday said Afghan and international coalition forces caused more casualties to civilians in Afghanistan in the first half of this year than by Taliban and other militants.
The report said 403 civilians were killed by Afghan forces in the first six months of the year and another 314 by international forces, a total of 717. That's compared to 531 killed by the Taliban and other militants during the same period.
However, the Afghan government mentioned a number of measures put in place to protect civilians during combat operations. (Pajhwok)