The Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) in its latest report has revealed that more than 8,500 civilians were killed and wounded due to the war and violence in the country last year. The report says there were some 3,000 dead Afghan civilians killed, while over 5,000 were wounded. Civilian casualties in Afghanistan dropped 21 per cent in 2020 as compared to 2019.
Unknown armed groups were the second highest cause of casualties after the Taliban, said a news agency. Based on the report, the Taliban were responsible for 4,568 deaths and injuries of civilians during this period, while the unknown groups were responsible for killing and wounding 2,107, while the security forces were blamed for 1,188 deaths and injuries. Naeem Nazari, the deputy head of the AIHRC said, "Civilian casualties are still very high, we can say that there is a catastrophe going on in Afghanistan".
Tariq Arian, a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior of Afghanistan said, "The Taliban in recent times has committed major crimes without taking responsibility for them. The Taliban have martyred thousands of our civilian compatriots". In 2018 and 2019, complex suicide attacks and car bombing incidents were the reason for most of the casualties. But in 2020 targeted killings, assassinations and magnetic mine explosions claimed the most civilian lives, and, more worryingly, no group has claimed responsibility for these attacks.
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