KABUL - Afghan civilians are for the first time being killed in greater numbers by US and pro-government forces than by the Taliban and other insurgent groups, a UN report released Wednesday revealed. During the first three months of 2019, international and pro-government forces were responsible for the deaths of 305 civilians, whereas insurgent groups killed 227 people, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a quarterly report. Most of the deaths resulted from air strikes or from search operations on the ground, primarily conducted by US-backed Afghan forces, some of which UNAMA said "appear to act with impunity". It is the first tally since records began that shows pro-government forces have killed more civilians than insurgents have. Last year was the deadliest yet for Afghan civilians, with 3,804 killed, according to UNAMA.

Source: Bangkok Post April 24, 2019 04:41 UTC