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UNAMA reports 2,562 Afghanis killed in last 9 months

ISLAMABAD, Oct 19 (KUNA) -- Around 2,562 civilians have been killed and 5,835 others wounded in Afghanistan within the first three quarters of 2016, UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported Wednesday.
The recent data shows a one percent decrease compared to the same period in 2015, UNAMA said in its report, noting that ground engagements remained the leading cause of civilian casualties, followed by suicide and complex attacks, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Anti-Government Elements caused 61 percent of civilian casualties, equaling 1,569 civilian deaths and 3,574 injured, which is a 12 per cent decrease from the same period in 2015, it said.
The report also attributed 23 percent of all civilian casualties to Pro-Government Forces, documenting 1,897 civilian casualties, consisting of 623 deaths and 1,274 injured, which is a 42 percent increase compared to last year.
"UNAMA is deeply concerned by the continuing increase in child casualties, which have risen year-on-year since 2013. In the first nine months of 2016, UNAMA documented 2,461 child casualties (639 deaths and 1,822 injured), a 15 percent increase on the same period in 2015. Ground engagements caused more than half of all child casualties in 2016," it said.
The report also documented 877 women civilian casualties, including 240 deaths and 637 injured; a 12 percent decrease which is primarily due to fewer women casualties from suicide and complex attacks, as well as from IEDs.
"Ground engagements between Pro-Government Forces and Anti-Government Elements caused 3,254 civilian casualties, 829 deaths and 2,425 injured, accounting for 39 percent of all civilian casualties. This marks an 18 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2015," said UNAMA.
Moreover, there is a notable decrease in civilian casualties caused by IEDs; 1,514 civilian casualties, including 496 deaths and 1,018 injured, amounting to a decrease of 22 percent, the report said, adding that 835 civilian were reported as casualties, including 445 deaths and 390 injured, amounting to a decrease of 30 percent. (end) sbk.mmj.ma