The Human Toll Of A Long War: Afghan Civilian Casualties In The Afghanistan Conflict

The war in Afghanistan, which lasted from 2001 to 2021, was the longest war in US military history. It was also one of the deadliest, with an estimated 176,000-212,000+ people killed in the conflict. The war was sparked by the September 11 attacks and saw an international military coalition led by the US invade Afghanistan, where they fought against the Taliban and their allies. The conflict resulted in staggering losses, with 70,000 Afghan military and police deaths, 46,319 Afghan civilians killed, and 53,000 opposition fighters killed. The war also had a devastating impact on the country's infrastructure and economy, leaving Afghanistan in a state of crisis.

The war in Afghanistan was the longest war in US history, lasting from 2001 to 2021

The war began when an international military coalition led by the US launched an invasion of Afghanistan, declaring Operation Enduring Freedom as part of the earlier-declared war on terror. The US-led forces supported the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance, and together they expelled the Taliban and their allies from major population centres. However, Osama Bin Laden, the Al-Qaeda leader, relocated to neighbouring Pakistan.

The conflict officially ended with the 2021 Taliban offensive, which overthrew the Islamic Republic and re-established the Islamic Emirate. The protracted US-led military presence in the country ended on 30 August 2021, when the last American military aircraft departed from Afghanistan.

The war killed an estimated 176,000–212,000+ people, including 46,319 civilians. The majority of civilian casualties were attributed to anti-government elements, with the Taliban and other anti-government elements responsible for between 61% and 80% of civilian deaths each year. The war also caused the displacement of millions of people, with 2.6 million Afghans remaining refugees in 2021 and another 4 million internally displaced.

The conflict killed an estimated 176,000-212,000+ people, including 46,319 civilians

The War in Afghanistan, which lasted from 2001 to 2021, was the longest war in US military history. The conflict was sparked by the September 11 attacks and ended with the Taliban's re-establishment of the Islamic Emirate. The war was fought between two main factions: the Coalition, which included the US and its allies, and the Taliban, its allies, and its militias.

The human cost of the war was devastating. An estimated 176,000-212,000+ people lost their lives, including 46,319 civilians. The death toll is likely even higher when considering indirect deaths caused by disease, food insecurity, lack of access to water, infrastructure damage, and other consequences of the war.

The civilian casualties were a tragic feature of the war. According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), the majority of civilian deaths were attributed to the Taliban and other anti-government elements, with figures ranging from 61% to 80% depending on the year. However, civilian deaths caused by US-led military actions also occurred, and the number of civilian casualties caused concern early in the conflict.

The war also took a heavy toll on the military and police forces. It is estimated that 69,095 military and police personnel lost their lives, with approximately 177,000 national military and police deaths from Afghanistan and its allies, including Pakistan, Iraq, and Syria.

The conflict further resulted in the deaths of thousands of opposition fighters, estimated to be at least 52,893.

The war in Afghanistan caused immense suffering and destruction, with profound impacts on the country's infrastructure, economy, public health, and security. The consequences of the war continue to reverberate, affecting the lives and well-being of Afghans long after the official end of the conflict.

The US government spent $2.3 trillion on the war

The $2.3 trillion covers operations in both Afghanistan and Pakistan and is part of the total estimated cost of the post-9/11 wars, which extend to Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and elsewhere. The war in Afghanistan was the longest war in US military history, surpassing the Vietnam War by approximately six months.

The US-led war in Afghanistan resulted in staggering losses for both the US and Afghanistan. The Costs of War Project estimates that 243,000 people have died as a direct result of the war. This figure includes 46,319 civilians, 69,095 military and police, and at least 52,893 opposition fighters. However, the death toll is likely higher when accounting for indirect deaths caused by the war, such as disease, loss of access to food, water, and infrastructure.

The war also resulted in immense economic and societal damage to Afghanistan. The conflict destroyed the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure, impoverishing Afghans. By 2021, 92% of the population faced food insecurity, and 3 million children were at risk of acute malnutrition. The war also exacerbated existing societal issues, such as gender inequality. The Taliban's strict interpretation of Sharia law imposed restrictions on women, limiting their access to education and employment.

The US also suffered significant losses, both human and economic. In addition to the thousands of US military personnel and contractors killed, the US government borrowed heavily to fund the war, accumulating massive debt. The interest on these loans will result in further economic burden for generations to come.

The war led to the deaths of 2,324 US military personnel, 3,917 US contractors, and 1,144 allied troops

The War in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, resulted in significant casualties for US military personnel, contractors, and their allies.

US military deaths in Afghanistan are estimated to be around 2,402 to 2,459, with 1,922 of these being a direct result of hostile action. These numbers include 18 Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) operatives and exclude fatalities occurring outside Afghanistan but in support of operations in the country, such as in Southeast Asia or Cuba. The human cost for US military personnel extended beyond deaths, with 20,769 service members wounded in action and many more suffering injuries or trauma.

US civilian contractors also suffered extensive losses, with estimates ranging from 1,822 to 3,814 deaths. The Department of Labor's tally of 1,822 contractors killed acknowledges that it does not represent complete or official statistics. In contrast, Brown University's Costs of War project estimates 3,814 contractor fatalities, a figure supported by The Washington Post's Afghanistan Papers. The high death toll among contractors has led to them being described as a "disposable army," with their deaths often going unnoticed.

The war also took the lives of allied troops from countries such as the United Kingdom, with 454 British forces personnel or Ministry of Defence (MOD) civilians confirmed dead by July 2015. This number increased to 456 with two further UK personnel deaths in October 2015. Other countries, including Nepal, Ukraine, Canada, and India, also lost citizens working as contractors in Afghanistan.

While the exact number of Afghan deaths is difficult to ascertain, various sources indicate a significant loss of life. The Costs of War Project estimates that the conflict killed 176,000 people in Afghanistan, including 46,319 civilians. However, the true death toll may be higher due to indirect consequences of the war, such as disease and loss of access to food, water, and infrastructure. The Uppsala Conflict Data Program provides a higher estimate of 212,191 deaths, while the Body Count report suggests that 106,000–170,000 civilians may have been killed in the fighting.

The war caused a breakdown in the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure, with 92% of Afghans facing food insecurity

The War in Afghanistan, lasting from 2001 to 2021, has had devastating consequences for the country and its people. The conflict has resulted in a breakdown of the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure, causing widespread poverty and food insecurity.

Breakdown of the Economy

Afghanistan's economy has been exhausted by over 40 years of war. Even before the conflict began in 2001, Afghanistan's economy was already one of the weakest in the world. The war has further exacerbated the country's economic woes, with administrative corruption and "taxes" levied by all parties involved in the conflict on economic and commercial activities. The Taliban, in particular, imposed "tariffs" on unofficial crossings and areas under their control. This has led to massive impoverishment, with at least half the population living on less than $1.90 per day.

Public Health Crisis

The war has also had a detrimental impact on public health in Afghanistan. Armed conflicts have led to a significant reduction in healthcare staff, both in the private and public sectors, resulting in the collapse of the healthcare system and public health infrastructure. The number of physicians per million people in Afghanistan dropped significantly, and the Taliban's actions further worsened the situation. They issued decrees segregating medical facilities by gender and restricted women's access to non-emergency care. The Taliban also ridiculed and cast doubt on medical professionals, fostering distrust and further disrupting healthcare services.

Security Threats

The war has severely compromised the security of Afghans. When the U.S.-led coalition ended its combat mission in 2014, the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) struggled to maintain control. The Taliban continued to launch attacks and carry out suicide bombings in major cities, inflicting heavy casualties on the ANDSF. The Taliban's harsh tactics, including arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings, have generated backlash and driven support for their adversaries. Afghans also face a heightened risk of terrorist attacks, with incidents such as the bombing of a mosque and the Russian Embassy in Kabul in 2022.

Infrastructure Destruction

The prolonged conflict has resulted in the destruction of infrastructure, including schools and healthcare facilities. The disruption of condom distribution, the lack of antiretrovirals, and the collapse of medical supply chains have further exacerbated the public health crisis. The war has also led to internal displacement, with 4 million internally displaced persons as of 2021, and widespread food insecurity, with 92% of Afghans facing some level of food insecurity. The worst drought in 30 years has further depleted food reserves, and some regions are currently facing famine.

The war in Afghanistan has had far-reaching and devastating consequences, upending the lives of Afghans and pushing them into poverty, insecurity, and a public health crisis. The road to recovery and rebuilding will be long and challenging.

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