UNAMA reports 29% rise in civilian casualties in Afghanistan in first quarter of 2021

Civilian casualties in Afghanistan rose by 29% in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2020, according to a 14 April report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

In its latest ‘Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict’ report, the UN mission said it documented 1,783 civilian casualties (573 killed and 1,210 injured), adding that of particular concern is the 37% rise in the number of women killed and injured, as well as a 23% increase in child casualties.

Afghan security officials inspect the scene of a roadside bomb attack that took place on 18 March in Kabul and targeted Afghan government employees. UNAMA said in a 14 April report that the number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan rose by 29% in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2020. (Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The rise was mainly driven “by the same trends that caused the increase at the end of last year: ground engagements, improvised explosive devices, and targeted killings”, said UNAMA, which attributed 61% of all civilian casualties between 1 January and 31 March to anti-government elements and 27% to pro-government forces. UNAMA said the Taliban was responsible for 43.5% of all civilian casualties and the Afghan National Army 17%.

“The number of Afghan civilians killed and maimed, especially women and children, is deeply disturbing,” said Deborah Lyons, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, while calling on all parties involved to “urgently find a way to stop this violence”.