Contrary to a popular saying that “All is fair in love and war,” the war has its own rules for which all belligerent parties are responsible to respect. One of the rules is to take measures to protect the lives and property of people who are not involved in war. The protection of civilians and their property is not a favor, but an obligation of the warring sides. In Afghanistan, the parties to the conflict unfortunately have not properly fulfilled this responsibility. For years, there have been incessant calls for protection of the lives and property of Afghan civilians caught in the fighting, but neither side has so far heeded the calls, and taken any measures to prevent harm to non-combatants in their operations. However, the latest, welcome development, if respected, is the agreement with regard to the protection of civilians which emerged from the intra-Afghan conference in Doha. Afghan delegates and Taliban representatives who participated in the 2- day Doha intra-Afghan conference agreed to reduce civilian casualties to zero. Based on the agreement, the warring sides should refrain from targeting public places and areas where there is a fear of civilian casualties.
The pledge to reduce civilian casualties is a welcome step, but it should be translated into action. While the resolution of the Doha conference was being prepared, pro-government forces again inflicted casualties on civilians in Wardak and Baghlan provinces. According to reports, a drone strike has killed seven members of a family in Baghlan, while Afghan forces have carried out a night raid on a local health clinic in the Jelga district of central Wardak province, killing five people, including a doctor.
All warring sides, including foreign troops, must abide by the agreement of the Doha conference on reduction of civilian casualties, something which will protect civilian lives on the one hand, and revive hopes for peace among Afghans once again. Moreover, it will allay the sense of retaliation among the sides, another key step towards achieving peace. The agreements on reduction of civilian casualties should not remain on papers.
