[ad_1]
Civilian casualties in Afghanistan reached record highs in May and June 2021, when US troops began withdrawing, according to a UN report.
The total number of civilian casualties in the first half of 2021 increased 47% from the same period in 2020 to 5,183, increasing towards the 2017 record of 5,272, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. (UNAMA) states in the report (pdf).
At the same time, between May 1st and June 30th, the report recorded 2,392 civilian casualties. This is a record high in the two months since the authorities began tracking in 2009. During the period of the problem, the report recorded 783 civilian casualties and 1,609. Injured.
Authorities said in a report, “We are concerned about the increase in civilian casualties that occurred after the withdrawal from Afghanistan began since the announcement by the International Army in April and the Taliban subsequently captured a significant number. I have. ” Of the district administration center. “
In April, President Joe Biden ordered the complete withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and warned of the Taliban’s resurrection.
In late June, military commander General Scott Miller, who commanded the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, said the country’s security situation had deteriorated as the Taliban spoke peace and at the same time engaged in offensive operations across the country. ..
Recently, CIA Secretary William Burns said the Taliban was probably in the highest military position in decades.
“The Taliban have made significant military progress. They are probably in the strongest military position since 2001,” Burns said. Told NPR In an interview on July 22nd.
Security guards will inspect a damaged vehicle for which a rocket was launched in Kabul, Afghanistan on July 20, 2021. (Rahmat Gul / AP photo)However, the CIA director acknowledged the seriousness and urgency of the Taliban’s threat and warned that it would consider the collapse of the Afghan government, which claimed to “hold significant military power,” inevitable.
“The big question is whether we can exercise those abilities with the kind of political willpower and leadership unity that is absolutely essential to resist the Taliban,” he said.
“The trendline is certainly a nuisance,” he continued. “I don’t think it will lead us to give up our conclusions, urgency or sense of necessity, but they are really worried.”
Commenting on civilian casualties reports, UN Secretary-General Deborah Lyons urged the Taliban and Afghan governments to find a peaceful solution to their long-term conflict.
“I urge the Taliban and Afghan leaders to pay attention to the harsh and chilling trajectory of the conflict and its devastating impact on the public,” says Lions. Said in a statement.. “The report provides a clear warning that an unprecedented number of Afghan civilians will die and be hurt this year if the rise in violence is not stopped.”
After the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the Taliban’s leadership over Afghanistan collapsed in 2001 after the actions of the US military. The group was accused of containing Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of terrorism. Osama bin Laden was killed during a raid in neighboring Pakistan about 10 years later.
[ad_2]