Thursday, February 18, 2016

Afghan Civilian Casualties From U.S. Air-Strikes At Greatest Rate In Seven Years

Photo: USAF

Bureau of Investigative Journalism: US airstrikes in Afghanistan killing civilians at greatest rate for seven years, new figures show

The rate at which civilians are being killed by US airstrikes in Afghanistan is at its highest point since 2008, an analysis of newly published UN data reveals.

Research by the Bureau shows that on average a civilian was killed every fourth drone or jet strike in 2015 – up from one in 11 attacks the year before and the first time the casualty rate has risen since 2011. The rate was last at such levels at the height of the Afghan war in 2008.

The rates are calculated by using civilian death tolls compiled by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Unama) for its annual report and from official US Air Force data on the number of strikes it carries out in the country.

Read more ....

Update:
US Airstrikes in Afghanistan Are Killing Civilians at Greatest Rate in Seven Years (Newsweek).

WNU Editor: These civilian casualty numbers are probably going to rise even more this year, and with the Afghan airforce now entering into service .... The U.S.-funded Afghan air force is growing. So are civilian casualties it causes (Washington Post).

1 comment:

Stephen Davenport said...

So, civilians die in war, always have and always will.