A sense of revenge among other factors has also contributed to the protraction of war in Afghanistan. When Afghan civilians suffer casualties in pro-government operations, and then do not get justice, they often resort to reprisal attacks, and they already have an address, the Taliban, to join and fight for. This sense of retaliation is considered one of the main reasons for the continuity of the bloody conflict.
The National Unity Government unfortunately did not pay enough attention to the issue of civilian casualties from its inception, and embraced deadly silence on civilian deaths caused in foreign airstrikes and ground operations for fear of straining relations with the United States. Despite repeated complaints and demonstrations by people, the government did not take any actions that could help reduce the level of civilian casualties. Instead of adopting preventive strategies and measures to minimize harm to non-combatants, the casualties rather jumped alarmingly, with incidents of civilian casualties reaching record high as counterinsurgency operations further intensified and expanded in the cold winter.
The rising public outcry finally impelled government leaders to break the silence. Addressing a meeting of senior Afghan and US military officials at the Presidential Palace, President Ghani said civilian casualties were unacceptable. Two special meetings on the issue were also held later on at Arg. In a series of tweets on the issue, he said, “As President of a responsible state, I must say that civilian casualties are the most tragic event in times of war, it pains me as much as any other Afghan when I hear about harm to civilians.”
He has also ordered Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) either to abort or to wait-out a potential target if even a single civilian was present, saying that Afghan security and defense forces are committed to the rules of war and engagement and they only provide proportionate response to any enemy attacks.
Though late, the move is a welcome development and must lead to tangible results on the battlefields.
It is right that the complete prevention of civilian casualties while the war is going on is difficult, but many incidents can be prevented through proper and systematic strategies. If government leadership in general and leaders of the security apparatus in particular pay keen and constant attention to the issue, civilian lives and property can be protected during operations. This will help restore trust between people and government, thereby enhancing public support for the government. The presence and activities of Afghan forces should ensure people’s protection than spread panic and fear among them. This can ramp up public support for ANDSF, something that inhibits militant activities and freedom of movement. This can gradually contribute a lot to security and stability in the country.
