The report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or Unama, said that overall civilian casualties had continued their steady increase in recent years. About 61 percent of the civilian casualties are attributed to what Unama calls “anti-government elements,” largely the Taliban. But civilian casualties caused by local affiliates of the Islamic State also increased tenfold compared with 2015, with 899 casualties claimed by Islamic State in 2016. The efforts have resulted in a 65 percent reduction in casualties caused by mines and explosive remnants since 2001. The United Nations is urging the Afghan government to comply with international rules requiring it to clear explosives after a battle.

Source: New York Times February 06, 2017 07:28 UTC