The United Nations Security Council unanimously approved on Monday a one-year extension of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), despite concerns raised over the goals of the mission and effectiveness by the United States. The UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which plays a significant role in coordinating the country, has been extended for a full year until June 17, 2027. Earlier in March, the mission received only a three-month extension after the United States called for a comprehensive assessment before endorsing a longer renewal. The resolution passed on Monday also requires "a strategic review of UNAMA and submit a written report outlining its findings to the Security Council by March 31, 2027. "A streamlined, fit-for-purpose UNAMA mandate is essential. We look forward to the strategic review of the mission requested in this resolution," said the US representative to the meeting.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jd-vance-says-some-in-israel-like-us-iran-deal-quite-a-bit-1781532065689">JD Vance says some in Israel like US-Iran deal 'quite a bit' despite backlash</a><h3>What is UNAMA?</h3>The UNAMA mission is a political mission tasked with supporting the people of Afghanistan by coordinating international humanitarian aid, promoting inclusive governance and human rights, and facilitating development. It was officially started on March 28, 2002, by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) under Resolution 1401. The mission has been a key UN presence in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban regained control in 2021 after the collapse of the US-backed government, the mission has helped coordinate humanitarian assistance, facilitate political engagement, and monitor human rights conditions. The resolution passed on Monday voiced deep concern over the growing and widespread deterioration of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan, particularly affecting women and girls. "The resolution demonstrates firm support for the work of UNAMA, the resolution maintains and strengthens UNAMA's core mandate, including coordinating international assistance," said Fu Cong, UN ambassador of China, which submitted the resolution.

The mission has been a key UN presence in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban regained control in 2021 after the collapse of the US-backed government, the mission has helped coordinate humanitarian assistance, facilitate political engagement, and monitor human rights conditions.

The United Nations Security Council unanimously approved on Monday a one-year extension of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), despite concerns raised over the goals of the mission and effectiveness by the United States. The UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which plays a significant role in coordinating the country, has been extended for a full year until June 17, 2027. Earlier in March, the mission received only a three-month extension after the United States called for a comprehensive assessment before endorsing a longer renewal. The resolution passed on Monday also requires "a strategic review of UNAMA and submit a written report outlining its findings to the Security Council by March 31, 2027. "A streamlined, fit-for-purpose UNAMA mandate is essential. We look forward to the strategic review of the mission requested in this resolution," said the US representative to the meeting. Also read: JD Vance says some in Israel like US-Iran deal 'quite a bit' despite backlash What is UNAMA? The UNAMA mission is a political mission tasked with supporting the people of Afghanistan by coordinating international humanitarian aid, promoting inclusive governance and human rights, and facilitating development. It was officially started on March 28, 2002, by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) under Resolution 1401. The mission has been a key UN presence in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban regained control in 2021 after the collapse of the US-backed government, the mission has helped coordinate humanitarian assistance, facilitate political engagement, and monitor human rights conditions. The resolution passed on Monday voiced deep concern over the growing and widespread deterioration of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Afghanistan, particularly affecting women and girls. "The resolution demonstrates firm support for the work of UNAMA, the resolution maintains and strengthens UNAMA's core mandate, including coordinating international assistance," said Fu Cong, UN ambassador of China, which submitted the resolution.

The mission has been a key UN presence in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban regained control in 2021 after the collapse of the US-backed government, the mission has helped coordinate humanitarian assistance, facilitate political engagement, and monitor human rights conditions.

What is UNAMA? UN Security Council extends Afghanistan mission until 2027

A policewoman and two government employees were killed by terrorists in two Afghan provinces on Thursday, the latest in a string of targetted attacks in the country, sources said on Friday.

In northern Kunduz province, terrorists broke into a house, pulling a female police officer out and killing her on the spot, Mohammad Yousuf Ayubi from Kunduz Provincial Council told Xinhua.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-authorities-begin-release-of-dangerous-taliban-prisoners-320396">Also read:&nbsp;Afghan authorities begin release of 'dangerous' Taliban prisoners</a>

The deceased served in the provincial airport and an investigation has been launched into the incident, the source added.

In the second attack, two engineers of the National Water Affairs Regulation Authority, a department of the country`s Ministry of Power and Water, were killed after gunmen ambushed a vehicle in eastern Parwan province, local media Khaama Press reported.

On July 27, UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a report that civilian casualties in Afghanistan decreased 13 per cent in the first six months of 2020 in comparison with the same period last year.

A total of 1,282 civilians were killed and 2,176 others wounded during the period, according to the report.

Targetted attacks were the third cause of civilian casualties after ground engagements and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by the Taliban, the report indicated.

At least 30 people were killed in targetted attacks in the country last month.

A policewoman and two government employees were killed by terrorists in two Afghan provinces on Thursday, the latest in a string of targetted attacks in the country, sources said on Friday.

A policewoman and two government employees were killed by terrorists in two Afghan provinces on Thursday, the latest in a string of targetted attacks in the country, sources said on Friday. In northern Kunduz province, terrorists broke into a house, pulling a female police officer out and killing her on the spot, Mohammad Yousuf Ayubi from Kunduz Provincial Council told Xinhua. Also read: Afghan authorities begin release of 'dangerous' Taliban prisoners The deceased served in the provincial airport and an investigation has been launched into the incident, the source added. In the second attack, two engineers of the National Water Affairs Regulation Authority, a department of the country`s Ministry of Power and Water, were killed after gunmen ambushed a vehicle in eastern Parwan province, local media Khaama Press reported. On July 27, UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a report that civilian casualties in Afghanistan decreased 13 per cent in the first six months of 2020 in comparison with the same period last year. A total of 1,282 civilians were killed and 2,176 others wounded during the period, according to the report. Targetted attacks were the third cause of civilian casualties after ground engagements and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by the Taliban, the report indicated. At least 30 people were killed in targetted attacks in the country last month.

Policewoman, two govt staff killed in targeted attacks in Afghanistan

The United Nations (UN) on Sunday lambasted the Taliban and Afghan security forces, blaming them for "deliberately" carrying out attacks on healthcare workers and facilities at a time when the country&nbsp;is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

"At a time when an urgent humanitarian response was required to protect every life in Afghanistan, both the Taliban and Afghan national security forces carried out deliberate acts of violence that undermined healthcare operations," United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) chief Deborah Lyons said in a statement, reported AFP.&nbsp;

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The UNAMA said it had registered 12 such incidents of violence between March 11 and May 23 against medical professionals and facilities.&nbsp;

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Out of the 12 attacks, the UN agency held the Taliban responsible for eight of these and blamed Afghan forces for three attacks.&nbsp;

Amongst all the attacks, one of the deadliest was the one on a Kabul-based maternity hospital on May 12, which so far remains unclaimed.&nbsp;

As many as 25 people died, including 16 mothers, in the attack on the maternity ward of Dasht e-Barchi hospital in Kabul, according to international charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF).&nbsp;

This report came at a time when Afghanistan is struggling to contain the cases of coronavirus, which has so far infected 28,833 people, including 581 deaths in the country.&nbsp;

"Perpetrating targetted attacks on healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when health resources are already stretched and of critical importance to the civilian population, is particularly reprehensible," Fiona Frazer, UNAMA Chief of Human Rights, said.&nbsp;

The United Nations (UN) on Sunday lambasted the Taliban and Afghan security forces, blaming them for "deliberately" carrying out attacks on healthcare workers and facilities at a time when the country is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic.

The United Nations (UN) on Sunday lambasted the Taliban and Afghan security forces, blaming them for "deliberately" carrying out attacks on healthcare workers and facilities at a time when the country is struggling to contain the coronavirus pandemic. "At a time when an urgent humanitarian response was required to protect every life in Afghanistan, both the Taliban and Afghan national security forces carried out deliberate acts of violence that undermined healthcare operations," United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) chief Deborah Lyons said in a statement, reported AFP. Also read | Afghan Taliban kidnap dozens of civilians amid peace efforts, officials say The UNAMA said it had registered 12 such incidents of violence between March 11 and May 23 against medical professionals and facilities. Also read | Western powers support Afghanistan's decision to not release Taliban prisoners Out of the 12 attacks, the UN agency held the Taliban responsible for eight of these and blamed Afghan forces for three attacks. Amongst all the attacks, one of the deadliest was the one on a Kabul-based maternity hospital on May 12, which so far remains unclaimed. As many as 25 people died, including 16 mothers, in the attack on the maternity ward of Dasht e-Barchi hospital in Kabul, according to international charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF). This report came at a time when Afghanistan is struggling to contain the cases of coronavirus, which has so far infected 28,833 people, including 581 deaths in the country. "Perpetrating targetted attacks on healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when health resources are already stretched and of critical importance to the civilian population, is particularly reprehensible," Fiona Frazer, UNAMA Chief of Human Rights, said.

UN blames Afghan forces, Taliban for 'deliberately' targetting healthcare

More than 100,000 civilians have been killed over the past decade in the ongoing conflict in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/blood-and-hope-women-in-afghanistans-elections-253513">Afghanistan</a>, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-rights-recommendations-to-be-taken-seriously-maduro-229391">United Nations</a> said on Thursday, as it reiterated its call to all stakeholders to take genuine and concrete steps towards ending the 18-year-long war in the country.

In a statement, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-airstrike-in-afghanistan-killed-32-civilians-un-8492">Tadamichi Yamamoto</a>, head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/unama-chief-calls-on-taliban-to-hold-talks-with-kabul-147677">UNAMA</a>), lamented that the ongoing fighting continues to take an "appalling toll" on ordinary Afghans.

"The United Nations urges all stakeholders to seek ways to reduce levels of violence, especially the violence which harms civilians, on the way to a lasting political settlement and a permanent ceasefire," said Yamamato, adding that "implementing a reduction of violence is also important in creating an environment which enables constructive intra-Afghan talks on peace to take place".

Yamamoto stressed that the women and youth must be included in the peace efforts as they are essential for an Afghan-owned peace process, in addition to being fundamental to all ongoing peace efforts.

"The hopes and aspirations of millions of ordinary Afghans young and old, women and men, girls and boys&nbsp;rest on the shoulders of those who are striving to bring the war to an end with a lasting political settlement," he said.

More than 100,000 civilians have been killed over the past decade in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, the United Nations said on Thursday, as it reiterated its call to all stakeholders to take genuine and concrete steps towards ending the 18-year-long war in the country.

More than 100,000 civilians have been killed over the past decade in the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, the United Nations said on Thursday, as it reiterated its call to all stakeholders to take genuine and concrete steps towards ending the 18-year-long war in the country. In a statement, Tadamichi Yamamoto, head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), lamented that the ongoing fighting continues to take an "appalling toll" on ordinary Afghans. "The United Nations urges all stakeholders to seek ways to reduce levels of violence, especially the violence which harms civilians, on the way to a lasting political settlement and a permanent ceasefire," said Yamamato, adding that "implementing a reduction of violence is also important in creating an environment which enables constructive intra-Afghan talks on peace to take place". Yamamoto stressed that the women and youth must be included in the peace efforts as they are essential for an Afghan-owned peace process, in addition to being fundamental to all ongoing peace efforts. "The hopes and aspirations of millions of ordinary Afghans young and old, women and men, girls and boys rest on the shoulders of those who are striving to bring the war to an end with a lasting political settlement," he said.

Over 100,000 civilians killed in Afghan war since 2009: United Nations

China and the United States are deadlocked over a UN resolution to extend a mission in Afghanistan, with Beijing signalling it will cast a veto because there is no reference to its Belt and Road project, diplomats said on Monday.

A planned vote on Monday by the 15-member Security Council to renew the UN mission, known as UNAMA, was delayed to Tuesday to allow for more negotiations.

The mission's mandate expires on Tuesday.

To pass, a resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the United States, China, France, Russia and Britain.

Ahead of the postponement, diplomats said China was expected to veto a resolution drafted by Germany and Indonesia that did not include a reference to its global Belt and Road infrastructure project.

China's UN&nbsp;mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China was then planning to propose a vote on a short draft resolution, known as a technical rollover, to allow the mission to keep operating, diplomats said.

But they added it could fail to get the nine votes needed to pass because several council members were considering abstaining.

Speaking in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she "did not know where this news had come from".

The situation in Afghanistan was at a crucial stage and China supported UNAMA - the UN&nbsp;Assistance Mission in Afghanistan&nbsp;to support reconstruction there, she said.

China hoped Security Council members would "jointly safeguard the important consensus reached in the past, respect each other's concerns, continue to carry out constructive cooperation on the Afghan issue and safeguard the unity of the Security Council".

The UN&nbsp;mission, which was established in 2002, is helping Afghanistan prepare for a September&nbsp;28 presidential election and is pushing for peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban.

Talks between the United States and Taliban militants on a US&nbsp;troop withdrawal fell apart this month.

There are about 14,000 US&nbsp;troops and thousands of other NATO troops in the country, 18 years after a US-led coalition ousted the Taliban following September 11, 2001, al Qaeda attacks on the United States.

The UNAMA mandate is renewed annually by the Security Council.

The resolutions in 2016, 2017 and 2018 all included a reference welcoming and urging efforts, like China's Belt and Road initiative, to facilitate trade and transit.

But when it came time to extend the mandate again in March, the United States and other Western council members wanted the language removed, sparking a standoff with China.

The council ended up adopting a six-month technical rollover to allow the mission to keep operating.

At the time, acting US ambassador Jonathan Cohen denounced China for holding "the resolution hostage" by insisting "on making it about Chinese national political priorities rather than the people of Afghanistan".

He criticized Beijing's Belt and Road initiative&nbsp;which aims to link China by sea and land through an infrastructure network with southeast and central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa&nbsp;for "known problems with corruption, debt distress, environmental damage, and lack of transparency".

At a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan last week, Cohen referred to the impasse with China.

"We strongly believe this mandate is too important at this moment to have one Security Council member deny consensus for reasons having nothing to do with UNAMA," Cohen said.

Chinese UN&nbsp;Ambassador Zhang Jun did not specifically mention the negotiations on the UNAMA resolution, but said China was working with Afghanistan to advance "the Belt and Road construction to actively support the Afghan rebuilding and its reintegration into the regional economic development".

China and the United States are deadlocked over a UN resolution to extend a mission in Afghanistan, with Beijing signalling it will cast a veto because there is no reference to its Belt and Road project, diplomats said on Monday.

China and the United States are deadlocked over a UN resolution to extend a mission in Afghanistan, with Beijing signalling it will cast a veto because there is no reference to its Belt and Road project, diplomats said on Monday. A planned vote on Monday by the 15-member Security Council to renew the UN mission, known as UNAMA, was delayed to Tuesday to allow for more negotiations. The mission's mandate expires on Tuesday. To pass, a resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes by the United States, China, France, Russia and Britain. Ahead of the postponement, diplomats said China was expected to veto a resolution drafted by Germany and Indonesia that did not include a reference to its global Belt and Road infrastructure project. China's UN mission did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China was then planning to propose a vote on a short draft resolution, known as a technical rollover, to allow the mission to keep operating, diplomats said. But they added it could fail to get the nine votes needed to pass because several council members were considering abstaining. Speaking in Beijing, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said she "did not know where this news had come from". The situation in Afghanistan was at a crucial stage and China supported UNAMA - the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan to support reconstruction there, she said. China hoped Security Council members would "jointly safeguard the important consensus reached in the past, respect each other's concerns, continue to carry out constructive cooperation on the Afghan issue and safeguard the unity of the Security Council". The UN mission, which was established in 2002, is helping Afghanistan prepare for a September 28 presidential election and is pushing for peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. Talks between the United States and Taliban militants on a US troop withdrawal fell apart this month. There are about 14,000 US troops and thousands of other NATO troops in the country, 18 years after a US-led coalition ousted the Taliban following September 11, 2001, al Qaeda attacks on the United States. The UNAMA mandate is renewed annually by the Security Council. The resolutions in 2016, 2017 and 2018 all included a reference welcoming and urging efforts, like China's Belt and Road initiative, to facilitate trade and transit. But when it came time to extend the mandate again in March, the United States and other Western council members wanted the language removed, sparking a standoff with China. The council ended up adopting a six-month technical rollover to allow the mission to keep operating. At the time, acting US ambassador Jonathan Cohen denounced China for holding "the resolution hostage" by insisting "on making it about Chinese national political priorities rather than the people of Afghanistan". He criticized Beijing's Belt and Road initiative which aims to link China by sea and land through an infrastructure network with southeast and central Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Africa for "known problems with corruption, debt distress, environmental damage, and lack of transparency". At a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan last week, Cohen referred to the impasse with China. "We strongly believe this mandate is too important at this moment to have one Security Council member deny consensus for reasons having nothing to do with UNAMA," Cohen said. Chinese UN Ambassador Zhang Jun did not specifically mention the negotiations on the UNAMA resolution, but said China was working with Afghanistan to advance "the Belt and Road construction to actively support the Afghan rebuilding and its reintegration into the regional economic development".

Belt and Road row: China, US in standoff over UN mission in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is investigating reports that at least 16 civilians including women and children were killed in an air strike in southern Helmand province, the defence ministry said in a statement Friday.

The reports come as civilian deaths from air strikes have risen sharply in the past year after the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-may-offer-fta-to-pakistan-to-assist-in-ending-afghan-war-report-192453">Afghan and US forces</a> intensified their aerial bombardment of Taliban and Islamic State group militants.&nbsp;

Afghan forces backed by US air power were conducting counter-terrorism operations in Sangin district late Wednesday when the air strike was carried out, the ministry and NATO said.

"Some reports have been published that civilians were killed and wounded, and the defence ministry formed a delegation to conduct a serious investigation into the civilian casualties," the ministry statement said.

NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan said the "large Afghan-led, multi-day operation... supported by US advisors and coalition air strikes" was ongoing, and that it was still looking into the claims.

But the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said the reports of civilian casualties, including children, were "credible", and that it was also investigating.

"I have got reports from the residents of the area where the strike took place. Sixteen people -- ten children, four women, two men, all civilians -- were killed," Afghan senator Hashim Alkozay told AFP.

Helmand provincial governor Mohammad Yasin said the strike "also hit an adjacent civilian house".

"A number" of Afghans were killed and wounded, he added.

The strike came as Taliban representatives were meeting with US officials in Qatar this week, with four straight days of discussion raising expectations as both sides seek a way out of the 17-year Afghan conflict.

Civilians continue to pay a disproportionate price in the fighting.

UNAMA says the number of Afghan civilians killed by aerial bombings from January until October 2018 reached a record high of 313, with a further 336 wounded.

The figures represent an increase of 39 per cent compared to the same time period in 2017.&nbsp;

UNAMA data shows that in total, 2,798 civilians were killed and 5,252 wounded in the first ten months of 2018.&nbsp;

The Taliban are responsible for about half of the civilian casualties, with the remaining deaths attributed to the Islamic State group and coalition strikes, according to the report.

UNAMA is due to publish its full-year report on civilian casualties in 2018 next month.

Afghanistan is investigating reports that at least 16 civilians including women and children were killed in an air strike in southern Helmand province, the defence ministry said in a statement Friday.

Afghanistan is investigating reports that at least 16 civilians including women and children were killed in an air strike in southern Helmand province, the defence ministry said in a statement Friday. The reports come as civilian deaths from air strikes have risen sharply in the past year after the Afghan and US forces intensified their aerial bombardment of Taliban and Islamic State group militants. Afghan forces backed by US air power were conducting counter-terrorism operations in Sangin district late Wednesday when the air strike was carried out, the ministry and NATO said. "Some reports have been published that civilians were killed and wounded, and the defence ministry formed a delegation to conduct a serious investigation into the civilian casualties," the ministry statement said. NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan said the "large Afghan-led, multi-day operation... supported by US advisors and coalition air strikes" was ongoing, and that it was still looking into the claims. But the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said the reports of civilian casualties, including children, were "credible", and that it was also investigating. "I have got reports from the residents of the area where the strike took place. Sixteen people -- ten children, four women, two men, all civilians -- were killed," Afghan senator Hashim Alkozay told AFP. Helmand provincial governor Mohammad Yasin said the strike "also hit an adjacent civilian house". "A number" of Afghans were killed and wounded, he added. The strike came as Taliban representatives were meeting with US officials in Qatar this week, with four straight days of discussion raising expectations as both sides seek a way out of the 17-year Afghan conflict. Civilians continue to pay a disproportionate price in the fighting. UNAMA says the number of Afghan civilians killed by aerial bombings from January until October 2018 reached a record high of 313, with a further 336 wounded. The figures represent an increase of 39 per cent compared to the same time period in 2017. UNAMA data shows that in total, 2,798 civilians were killed and 5,252 wounded in the first ten months of 2018. The Taliban are responsible for about half of the civilian casualties, with the remaining deaths attributed to the Islamic State group and coalition strikes, according to the report. UNAMA is due to publish its full-year report on civilian casualties in 2018 next month.

Afghanistan investigates civilian deaths in air strike in southern province

Civilians are being killed and wounded in record numbers in Afghanistan, the United Nations reported today, just days after one of the deadliest attacks ever in Kabul. 
 
&quot;UNAMA engages in ongoing dialogue with all parties to the conflict and the report has been shared in advance,&quot; said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the top UN official in Afghanistan, at a news conference today, referring to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. 
 
&quot;We share our report to ensure its accuracy and to include different perspectives, but above all our primary objective is to promote change,&quot; he added. 
 
Overall at least 1,601 civilians were killed and 3,565 wounded in the war in the first six months of 2016, the United Nations reported, as insurgent groups like the Taliban try to topple the government installed in Kabul after the 2001 US-led military intervention. 
 
The director of the UN Human Rights Program in Afghanistan, Danielle Bell, said this represented a &quot;four per cent increase in overall civilian casualties compared to the same period in 2015&quot;. 
 
The report was sharply critical of the Taliban. &quot;Anti-government elements including the Taliban nonetheless continued to carry out attacks against persons and locations that are clearly civilian under international humanitarian law,&quot; Bell said. 
 
Anti-government groups, the largest of which is the Taliban, accounted for at least 60 percent of non-combatants killed and wounded. 
 
Casualties caused by pro-government forces increased 47 per cent over the same period last year, the United Nations said. 
 
Afghan forces were responsible for 22 per cent of casualties overall, and the international troops remaining in the country caused 2 per cent, while 17 per cent could not be attributed to one side or the other. 
 
For the first time, the Afghan air force killed or wounded more civilians in its operations than air strikes carried out by international forces, the United Nations reported. 
 
UN officials said they had heard more commitments by both sides, but few effective actions to improve protection of civilians. 
 
Twin blasts on July 23 were claimed by Islamic State militants and killed at least 80 people and injured more than 230, most of them civilians. 
 
Those numbers are not included in the UN report, but the attack highlighted its finding that suicide bombings and complex attacks are now harming more civilians than are roadside bombs, Bell told reporters. 
 
Islamic State, a group that has made some limited inroads in Afghanistan, accounted for 122 casualties in the first six months of 2016 compared with 13 casualties attributed to it in the same period last year. 
 
(Reuters)

Anti-government groups, the largest of which is the Taliban, accounted for at least 60 percent of non-combatants killed and wounded.

Civilians are being killed and wounded in record numbers in Afghanistan, the United Nations reported today, just days after one of the deadliest attacks ever in Kabul. "UNAMA engages in ongoing dialogue with all parties to the conflict and the report has been shared in advance," said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the top UN official in Afghanistan, at a news conference today, referring to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. "We share our report to ensure its accuracy and to include different perspectives, but above all our primary objective is to promote change," he added. Overall at least 1,601 civilians were killed and 3,565 wounded in the war in the first six months of 2016, the United Nations reported, as insurgent groups like the Taliban try to topple the government installed in Kabul after the 2001 US-led military intervention. The director of the UN Human Rights Program in Afghanistan, Danielle Bell, said this represented a "four per cent increase in overall civilian casualties compared to the same period in 2015". The report was sharply critical of the Taliban. "Anti-government elements including the Taliban nonetheless continued to carry out attacks against persons and locations that are clearly civilian under international humanitarian law," Bell said. Anti-government groups, the largest of which is the Taliban, accounted for at least 60 percent of non-combatants killed and wounded. Casualties caused by pro-government forces increased 47 per cent over the same period last year, the United Nations said. Afghan forces were responsible for 22 per cent of casualties overall, and the international troops remaining in the country caused 2 per cent, while 17 per cent could not be attributed to one side or the other. For the first time, the Afghan air force killed or wounded more civilians in its operations than air strikes carried out by international forces, the United Nations reported. UN officials said they had heard more commitments by both sides, but few effective actions to improve protection of civilians. Twin blasts on July 23 were claimed by Islamic State militants and killed at least 80 people and injured more than 230, most of them civilians. Those numbers are not included in the UN report, but the attack highlighted its finding that suicide bombings and complex attacks are now harming more civilians than are roadside bombs, Bell told reporters. Islamic State, a group that has made some limited inroads in Afghanistan, accounted for 122 casualties in the first six months of 2016 compared with 13 casualties attributed to it in the same period last year. (Reuters)

Civilian casualties soar to record high in Afghanistan, says UN report

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