Civilian casualties are a major driver of Afghan war. Although the parties to the conflict claim paying attention to civilian lives, not only has the number of Afghan civilians killed or wounded not decreased, but is also on an upward trajectory. UN statistics show that civilian casualties have been an upward trend since 2009. Neither side to the conflict has paid appropriate attention to the protection of non-combatants. They lose their lives on a daily basis either in militant bombings or airstrikes carried out by pro-government forces. Because of the malpractice and malfeasance of warring sides, Afghans are safe neither in villages nor in cities.
The most recent incident of civilian casualties has occurred again in Kunduz province, where 16 members of the same family have been killed and three others wounded in an airstrike conducted by foreign troops in Chardara district. Though the government has promised an investigation into the incident, it is just a waste of time considering the handling of similar incidents, which have happened in the past. Afghan people have never witnessed the culprits of such tragedies being brought to justice despite thousands of people suffering casualties every year.
When there is war, there are most likely civilian casualties; however, the incidents of civilian casualties are caused intentionally other than mistakenly in many instances. The US airstrike on a hospital of Doctors without Border in Kunduz city, for example, cannot be justified as a human mistake. All evidence surrounding the incident substantiated the hospital was intentionally targeted. By the same token, the suicide attacks or other explosions carried out by insurgents in crowded areas also are not mistakes; they are rather intentional acts.
The civilian casualties caused by pro-government forces are considered a major driver of the war, but their prevention is still not a government priority. Unfortunately, the leadership of the National Unity Government mostly embraces a deadly silence on such incidents despite knowing that it further widens the existing disconnect between the public and government. The government leaders may remain silence to please their foreign allies, but their ignorance of the wrath of the people can dislodge the government.
Civilian toll, an unending problem
