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70% of Afghan Civilian Deaths Caused by Taliban

Death caused by allied forces down 28%

By the Associated Press

Posted Jan 13, 2010 5:29 AM CST
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(AP) – The number of Afghan civilians who died in war-related violence last year soared to the highest annual level since the conflict began in 2001, with nearly 70% blamed on insurgents, according the the UN, and 25% to allied forces. The UN mission in Afghanistan said 2,412 civilians were killed in 2000—a 14% increase over 2008. The deaths caused by allied forces show a 28% drop over the previous year.

Almost half of the civilian casualties occurred in southern Afghanistan, which has seen intense fighting as US and allied troops seek to oust the Taliban and other insurgents. US and NATO commander Stanley McChrystal has ordered troops to use airstrikes judiciously and take other measures to reduce civilian casualties following widespread public outrage over civilian deaths.

In this Jan. 6, 2010 file photo, a schoolboy killed by an explosion is seen surrounded by relatives as some chant anti US and Afghan government slogans, in the back ground, east of Kabul, Afghanistan.
In this Jan. 6, 2010 file photo, a schoolboy killed by an explosion is seen surrounded by relatives as some chant anti US and Afghan government slogans, in the back ground, east of Kabul, Afghanistan.   (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul, File)
An Afghan demonstrator weeps as he chants anti American slogans while the label on his headband reads Don't kill more during a protest, Dec. 30, 2009, in Kabul, Afghanistan.
An Afghan demonstrator weeps as he chants anti American slogans while the label on his headband reads " Don't kill more" during a protest, Dec. 30, 2009, in Kabul, Afghanistan.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
An Afghan demonstrator weeps as he chants anti American slogans while the label on his headband reads Don't kill more during a protest, Dec. 30, 2009, in Kabul, Afghanistan.
An Afghan demonstrator weeps as he chants anti American slogans while the label on his headband reads " Don't kill more" during a protest, Dec. 30, 2009, in Kabul, Afghanistan.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
An Afghan driver looks at a portrait of a child who along with 9 others was allegedly killed during an operation by foreign forces in Kunar province, Dec. 30, 2009, in Kabul, Afghanistan.
An Afghan driver looks at a portrait of a child who along with 9 others was allegedly killed during an operation by foreign forces in Kunar province, Dec. 30, 2009, in Kabul, Afghanistan.   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
justme
Jan 14, 2010 2:17 AM CST
Some people will blame America for every ill in the world regardless of the evidence. It is possible to create twisted logic for any belief.
Snowleopard
Jan 13, 2010 7:20 AM CST
oh great, that's awesome, we're only responsible for just 25% of the dead innocent civilians this year! go america!
passinthru
Jan 13, 2010 6:18 AM CST
who cares who kills MORE innocence? WTF is this article even talking about...

Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

 
Afghanistan • United Nations • NATO • Taliban • civilian casualties • airstrike • Afghanistan war • Stanley McChrystal • Afghanistan casualties

 

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