Coalition's Civilian Death Toll In Afghanistan: A Grim Tally

The War in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on civilians, with an estimated 70,000 Afghan civilians killed as a direct result of the conflict as of March 2023. The war has caused widespread destruction, impoverishment, food insecurity, and a breakdown of public health, security, and infrastructure in Afghanistan. The US military's relaxed rules of engagement for airstrikes in 2017 led to a significant increase in civilian casualties, with a 330% rise in civilian deaths from airstrikes during the Trump administration compared to the last year of the Obama administration. The conflict has also left Afghan land contaminated with unexploded ordnance and landmines, which continue to inflict harm and casualties on the population, especially children.

The US military relaxed rules of engagement for airstrikes in Afghanistan, resulting in a dramatic increase in civilian casualties

In 2017, the US military relaxed its rules of engagement for airstrikes in Afghanistan, resulting in a dramatic increase in civilian casualties. This change was indicative of the Trump administration's determination to enhance the effect of US combat power in Afghanistan.

Previously, US forces were restricted by a "`proximity` requirement," which only allowed the use of airpower when the enemy was close to US or US-advised Afghan forces. The removal of this restriction meant that US forces could employ airpower more freely, even when the enemy was not within proximity.

Secretary of Defense James Mattis indicated that this change was made to speed up the battle against the Taliban and that it would not signal a reduction in the US commitment to the law of armed conflict targeting rules. He emphasized that target identification, rather than proximity, would be the decisive attack criteria.

However, critics argued that this modification could dilute the protection of the civilian population and increase the risk of accidental distinction errors, incidental injuries, and collateral damage. They pointed out that the more restrictive rules of engagement were implemented to minimize civilian casualties, which is a key consideration in counter-insurgency operations.

The relaxation of the rules of engagement had a significant impact on the number of civilian casualties. From the last year of the Obama administration to the last full year of recorded data during the Trump administration, there was a 330% increase in the number of civilians killed by US-led airstrikes in Afghanistan.

The increase in civilian casualties caused by US-led airstrikes in Afghanistan adds to the already high number of civilian deaths resulting from the conflict. As of March 2023, more than 70,000 Afghan and Pakistani civilians are estimated to have died as a direct result of the war. Additionally, the war has had indirect effects on the civilian population, including the war-induced breakdown of the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure.

The CIA has armed and funded Afghan militia groups, who have been responsible for extrajudicial killings of civilians

The CIA has armed and funded Afghan militia groups who have been responsible for extrajudicial killings of civilians. The CIA's involvement in Afghanistan began in 1978, coinciding with several notable operations. The first, Operation Cyclone, began in 1979 during the presidency of Jimmy Carter. The operation financed and supplied weapons to anti-communist mujahideen guerrillas in Afghanistan.

The CIA's activities in Afghanistan have continued since then, with the agency supporting various Mujahideen factions during the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s. The CIA has also been accused of training, arming, and funding indigenous militia networks since the September 11 attacks, including the Harakat ul-Ansar (HUA), a Kashmiri outfit.

The CIA-backed militias in Afghanistan are a particularly troublesome version of the regionally-based militias that have developed around local strongmen with external support. These militias have committed serious human rights abuses, including numerous extrajudicial killings of civilians. The CIA's sponsorship ensures their operations are shrouded in secrecy, with little to no public oversight or accountability for their actions.

The CIA-backed militias are often transported to remote villages via American helicopters and provided with lethal firepower from American assault aircraft. The militias have been implicated in a pattern of serious laws-of-war violations, including targeted killings, indiscriminate airstrikes, attacks on medical facilities, and other violations of international humanitarian law.

The behavior of these militias reflects the propensity of the US and Afghan governments to prioritize short-term military fixes over long-term reforms that would promote security and the rule of law. The continued presence of these militias, implicated in serious human rights abuses, poses a threat to communities already affected by the conflict.

The war has exacerbated the effects of poverty, malnutrition, poor sanitation, and lack of access to healthcare

The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the country's population, exacerbating the effects of poverty, malnutrition, poor sanitation, and lack of access to healthcare.

Poverty

The war has contributed to widespread poverty in Afghanistan, with an estimated 92% of the population facing some level of food insecurity. The conflict has disrupted the economy, leading to a decline in household consumption and limited access to jobs and basic services. As a result, the poverty rate has risen from 38% in 2011-2012 to 55% in 2016-2017, with over half of the population living on less than $1.90 per day. The war has also led to the displacement of millions, further contributing to poverty and food insecurity.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition is a significant issue in Afghanistan, with 3 million children at risk of acute malnutrition. The disruption of food supplies and limited access to nutritious foods have exacerbated the problem. The lack of access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities has also contributed to malnutrition, as contaminated water sources and poor hygiene practices increase the risk of waterborne illnesses.

Poor Sanitation

The war has also exacerbated the issue of poor sanitation in Afghanistan. Years of conflict have damaged water infrastructure, and efforts to improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities have been limited. As a result, open defecation is still practiced in many areas, leading to the spread of diseases.

Lack of Access to Healthcare

The war has severely impacted the healthcare system in Afghanistan. Years of conflict have resulted in the destruction of healthcare infrastructure and limited access to medical supplies and equipment. The security situation and economic decline have also made it difficult for healthcare workers to provide services, with many choosing to leave the country. As a result, the population faces limited access to basic healthcare services, and the quality of care has deteriorated.

The war in Afghanistan has had far-reaching consequences, exacerbating the effects of poverty, malnutrition, poor sanitation, and lack of access to healthcare. The disruption of essential services and the limited availability of resources have placed a significant burden on the country's population, particularly the most vulnerable groups.

Unexploded ordnance from the war and landmines from previous wars continue to kill and injure civilians

Afghanistan has one of the highest densities of landmines in the world. Twenty-seven of the country's 29 provinces contain 10% of the world's 100 million landmines. The most heavily mined provinces are those along the Pakistan border and those containing the cities of Kandahar and Kabul. Over 50 different kinds of mines are present in almost every type of terrain.

In addition to landmines, unexploded ordnance—bombs, grenades, missiles, rockets, and mortar or artillery shells that have been fired or dropped and failed to detonate—also pose a significant threat to civilians.

From May 1996 to July 1998, explosions from landmines and ordnance claimed 571 victims in Kabul City alone. Of these, 161 suffered traumatic amputations and 94 were killed. Most victims were young males with a few years of education. The most common activities associated with injuries and deaths were collecting wood or paper and playing with or handling explosives.

Between 2002 and 2006, researchers analysed 5,471 incidents of individuals injured or killed by these devices, finding that 2,749 (50.3%) were caused by unexploded ordnance and 2,314 (42.3%) by landmines. Almost half the deaths and injuries in this study were among children (2,580; 47.2%), with 1,687 (65%) attributed to unexploded ordnance.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has recorded that 640 children were killed or injured in 541 incidents involving landmine explosions and explosive remnants between January 2022 and June 2023. This accounts for nearly 60% of the total number of civilian casualties due to UXO-related incidents.

Unexploded ordnance from the war in Afghanistan and landmines from previous wars continue to kill, injure, and maim civilians. Fields, roads, and school buildings are contaminated by ordnance, which often harms children as they go about their daily chores, such as gathering wood.

The war has caused invisible wounds, with two-thirds of Afghans suffering from mental health problems

The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the mental health of Afghans. In 2009, the Afghan Ministry of Public Health reported that two-thirds of Afghans suffer from mental health problems.

The war has led to a breakdown of the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure, and has left 92% of the population facing some level of food insecurity. The conflict has also resulted in the deaths of 70,000 Afghan military and police personnel, 46,319 Afghan civilians, and 53,000 opposition fighters.

The war has also caused invisible wounds, with Afghans experiencing violence, losing loved ones, being injured, and becoming displaced. The constant exposure to trauma can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

The mental health crisis in Afghanistan has been exacerbated by limited access to mental healthcare services. The health system is under strain due to a lack of funding, and mental health services are scarce across the country. Stigma and cultural barriers also prevent many Afghans from seeking help for their mental health issues.

To address the mental health crisis in Afghanistan, it is essential to provide increased funding for mental healthcare services and to address the underlying social and economic issues that contribute to poor mental health.

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