Two airstrikes have killed 14 civilians in Afghanistan in recent days, the United Nations said Thursday, May 23 as the U.S. intensifies its air war across the country.
According to the U.N. Mission in Afghanistan, five women and seven children were among the 14 civilians killed in Helmand province in the south on May 20, and Kunar province in the east on May 22.
“Civilian casualty toll from airstrikes in #Afghanistan continues to rise,” UNAMA tweeted.
“Parties must respect international obligations to protect civilians from harm.”
Civilian casualty toll from airstrikes in #Afghanistan continues to rise. Latest verified data: 20 & 22 May attacks in #Helmand (Greshk) & #Kunar (Chawki) killed 14 civilians, inc 5 women & 7 children. Parties must respect international obligations to protect civilians from harm. pic.twitter.com/zQQ7lUa5CX
— UNAMA News (@UNAMAnews) May 23, 2019
While the Afghan military does have a fledgeling air force, most strikes are led or supported by American air power. U.S. Forces Afghanistan declined to comment.
According to U.S. Air Force Central Command, the U.S. dropped 7,362 bombs in Afghanistan in 2018, the highest number since at least 2010.
In April, UNAMA published a report saying Afghan civilians are for the first time being killed in greater numbers by U.S. and pro-government forces than by the Taliban and other insurgent groups.
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, UNAMA said.
The development comes as the U.S. steps up its air campaign in Afghanistan while pushing for a peace deal with the Taliban, who now control or influence more parts of the country than at any time since they were ousted in 2001.
At least eight police officers were killed May 16 in Helmand province during a “friendly fire” strike from U.S. forces.
And UNAMA last week said it was probing allegations of civilian casualties resulting from U.S. air strikes against purported drug-making facilities in western Afghanistan.
The allegations center on strikes conducted earlier in May in Farah and Nimroz provinces, where dozens of structures said to have been used to produce heroin and other illegal drugs were destroyed.
With reporting from AFP
