U.N. concerned over spike in civilian casualties in Afghan air strikes

KABUL (Reuters) - The United Nations mission in Afghanistan voiced concern on Tuesday over increasing numbers of civilian casualties as a result of airstrikes by U.S. or government forces, following reports that nine were killed in an eastern province last week.

Air strikes have spiked steeply this year, in a strategy aimed at forcing Taliban militants to accept peace talks, with the number of bombs dropped by the U.S. air force almost doubling in the first six months, to nearly 3,000.

The UNAMA mission said it had received “multiple, credible allegations” that a strike hit the house of a teacher in the eastern province of Kapisa on Saturday, killing nine members of the same family, including three women and four children. Six others were wounded, it said.

“UNAMA reminds all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations to protect civilians from harm,” it said in a statement. - Read More

U.N. concerned over spike in civilian casualties in Afghan air strikes

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