Afghan civilian casualties rise as NATO pulls out --- Kabul — The number of civilians killed and wounded in Afghanistan rose 14 percent last year, the UN said Saturday, as NATO troops draw down after more than a decade of war. -- A total of 8,615 civilian casualties were recorded in 2013, with 2,959 killed and 5,656 wounded, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan's annual report. -- The death toll almost reached the record of 2011, with UNAMA saying that civilians killed or wounded in the crossfire of fighting between government and Taliban-led insurgent forces marked a new trend last year. -- UNAMA put this down to the reduction of ground and air operations by the US-led NATO force as it withdraws by the end of 2014. -- Afghan forces have been taking an increasing role in the fight against the Taliban as the coalition pulls out. -- More than 50,000 NATO-led combat troops who are still in Afghanistan are due to leave by the year-end. -- Last year also marked the highest casualties for women and children with a 36-percent increase in women and 34-percent increase in children's casualties, the report added. --- The death toll almost matches the peak figure of 3,133 recorded in 2011. The conflict has claimed the lives of 14,064 civilians in the past five years. - More, Emal Haidary (AFP) - at: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5igKuhCSNpVIySCnSSmkjoGyF-zpQ?docId=d5850767-b1d8-463a-85d4-e43d50c1571f