KABUL – The Independent Human Rights Commission of Afghanistan (AIHRC) has asked Afghan government and foreign forces to make sure that civilian casualties are prevented.
Expressing regret that civilians continue to die in majority in conflicts between government forces and insurgents, the watchdog stressed wider cooperation in using the most effective methods.
Muqim Alizai, head of the AIHRC office in Helmand highlighted on Thursday that 1,950 casualties in Helmand were recorded in the past eight months.
The demand was extended by Musa Mahmoudi, member of the human rights commission as well.
‘We wait to see the Afghan government, implement what they are expected to do as their part regarding the attacks which are carried out by government,’ he said.
Mahmoudi continued that although Taliban share 53 percent of casualties, Daesh 19 percent and government 8.3 percent, even then it was something of concern.
Hajji Mohammad Nikmal, a civil society activist in Helmand expressed that civilian casualties need to stop immediately otherwise, people will protest against it.
Civilian casualties have skyrocketed in the country over the past two weeks following a number of airstrikes and night raids in various regions including Nangarhar, Parwan, Logar, Maidan Wardak and Helmand provinces.
In a tragic incident on Tuesday, at least 30 civilians were reportedly killed as a result of a joint airstrike by Afghan and foreign forces in Garmsir district in southern Helmand province.
In reference to the airstrike in Helmand, Ministry of Defense officials said that in most cases, militants use the civilian population as a shield.
According to AIHRC statistics, 5,985 civilians have been killed and wounded in armed conflicts between warring sides over the past six months with women and children also among the victims.
