The Unspoken Toll: Afghanistan's Civilian Casualties

The war in Afghanistan has resulted in a devastating loss of civilian life. While there is no single official figure for the number of civilian casualties, various sources provide estimates. According to the Costs of War Project, 46,319 civilians were killed in the conflict, while the Uppsala Conflict Data Program puts the number at 212,191. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported 3,774 civilian casualties, including 1,095 civilian deaths, since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. The true death toll is likely higher due to unaccounted deaths from indirect consequences of the war, such as disease and loss of access to food, water, and infrastructure. The war has not only taken lives but also left countless others injured, displaced, and struggling to access basic necessities. The human toll of the war in Afghanistan is immense, and the impact on civilians cannot be overstated.

Civilian deaths caused by US-led military actions

The US-led war in Afghanistan has incurred staggering costs for the US, Afghans, and others. The war has led to the deaths of 2,324 US military personnel, 3,917 US contractors, 1,144 allied troops, 70,000 Afghan military and police personnel, and 46,319 Afghan civilians. However, this figure is likely a significant underestimation.

The US-led military actions in Afghanistan have resulted in numerous civilian deaths. According to the Costs of War Project, the war killed 176,000 people in Afghanistan, including 46,319 civilians. The conflict killed a total of 212,191 people, according to the Uppsala Conflict Data Program.

The war in Afghanistan, launched by the US as "Operation Enduring Freedom" in 2001, began with an aerial campaign that immediately raised concerns about the number of Afghan civilians being killed. The majority of civilian casualties were attributed to the Taliban and other anti-government elements each year, ranging from 61% to 80%. Civilian deaths were higher in the latter part of the war, with 2015 and 2016 consecutively breaking records for annual civilian deaths.

The Project on Defense Alternatives estimated that in a three-month period between October 7, 2001, and January 1, 2002, at least 1,000-1,300 civilians were directly killed by the US-led aerial bombing campaign. By mid-January 2002, at least 3,200 more Afghans had died of starvation, exposure, illness, or injury sustained while fleeing war zones.

Professor Marc W. Herold of the University of New Hampshire estimated that in the 20-month period between October 7, 2001, and June 3, 2003, at least 3,100 to 3,600 civilians were directly killed by US-led forces. Human Rights Watch estimated that at least 230 Afghan civilians were killed by US or NATO attacks in 2006, with 116 killed by airstrikes and 114 by ground fire.

The Afghanistan Rights Monitor, a Kabul-based rights watchdog, estimated that in 2008, about 3,917 civilians were killed, over 6,800 were wounded, and around 120,000 were forced out of their homes. They attributed over 2,300 civilian deaths to insurgents and 1,620 civilian deaths to US-led military forces, with 680 killed in airstrikes.

The US-led military actions in Afghanistan have had devastating consequences for the country and its people. The true extent of the indirect costs is even greater when considering injuries, illnesses, displacement, war widows and orphans, malnutrition, destruction of infrastructure, and environmental degradation resulting from the war.

Civilian deaths caused by Taliban and anti-government elements

The Taliban and anti-government elements have been responsible for the majority of civilian deaths in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion in 2001. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) estimates that the Taliban and other anti-government elements were responsible for between 61% and 80% of civilian casualties each year, with the figures rising in the latter part of the war.

The Taliban's offensive in 2021, which led to the fall of the US-backed government, resulted in a record number of civilian casualties. According to UNAMA, there were 1,659 civilians killed and 3,254 wounded in the first half of 2021, a 47% increase compared to the same period in 2020. Women and children made up close to half of these casualties. The leading causes of civilian deaths were the use of improvised explosive devices, ground engagements, targeted killings, and airstrikes.

UNAMA has also expressed concern about the deliberate targeting of civilians, including government workers, human rights defenders, media workers, religious elders, and humanitarian workers. In addition, there has been a resurgence of sectarian-motivated attacks against the Shia Muslim minority, most of whom also belong to the Hazara ethnic group.

Following the Taliban takeover in August 2021, civilian casualties decreased compared to previous years of war and armed conflict. However, the UN has recorded a significant number of civilians killed and wounded in attacks. Between August 2021 and May 2023, UNAMA recorded 1,095 civilian deaths and 2,679 wounded, with the majority of deaths caused by improvised explosive devices, including suicide bombings in public places.

The Taliban has been responsible for the majority of attacks and has carried out raids against ISIL cells, which remain a security challenge. The ruling Taliban claims that it is focused on securing the country and has conducted several raids against ISIL cells. However, the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law and repressive policies have led to a deterioration of human rights, particularly for women and girls.

The lack of official data on civilian deaths

There is no single official figure for the overall number of civilians killed in the War in Afghanistan since 2001. However, the human cost of the war has been devastating, with civilians accounting for the vast majority of casualties.

Civilian Deaths in the War in Afghanistan

The war in Afghanistan, launched by the United States as "Operation Enduring Freedom" in 2001, has resulted in a significant number of civilian deaths. According to the Costs of War Project, the war killed approximately 176,000 people in Afghanistan, including 46,319 civilians. However, the death toll is likely higher due to unaccounted deaths from indirect consequences of the war, such as disease, loss of access to food and water, and infrastructure destruction.

The Uppsala Conflict Data Program provides a higher estimate, reporting that the conflict killed 212,191 people. The true number of civilian deaths is difficult to determine due to the lack of official data and the challenges of collecting accurate information in a war zone.

Independent Organization Estimates

Various independent organizations have published estimates for specific years or periods. For example, the Project on Defense Alternatives estimated that between October 7, 2001, and January 1, 2002, at least 1,000-1,300 civilians were directly killed by the U.S.-led aerial bombing campaign.

The Los Angeles Times reported that between October 7, 2001, and February 28, 2002, there were between 1,067 and 1,201 civilian deaths from the bombing campaign. These figures represent only a fraction of the total civilian deaths over the entire duration of the war.

Factors Contributing to Civilian Deaths

Civilian deaths in Afghanistan have been caused by both insurgent actions and U.S.-led military operations. The majority of civilian casualties have been attributed to the Taliban and other anti-government elements, with estimates ranging from 61% to 80% in different years.

U.S.-led airstrikes have also resulted in significant civilian casualties. In 2017, the U.S. military relaxed its rules of engagement for airstrikes in Afghanistan, leading to a dramatic increase in civilian deaths. The CIA's arming and funding of Afghan militia groups has also resulted in serious human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings of civilians.

Indirect Consequences and Long-Term Impacts

In addition to direct deaths, the war has had indirect consequences, such as disease, malnutrition, and environmental degradation, which have further contributed to civilian deaths. The war has also inflicted invisible wounds, with mental health issues affecting a significant portion of the Afghan population.

The true extent of civilian deaths may never be fully known due to the lack of official data and the ongoing nature of the conflict. However, it is clear that the war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the country's civilian population.

The impact of civilian deaths on Afghanistan's healthcare system

The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the country's healthcare system, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence and conflict. The exact number of civilian casualties is difficult to determine, but various estimates and reports provide a grim picture of the situation. According to the Costs of War Project, the war in Afghanistan has resulted in approximately 46,319 civilian deaths as of 2021. However, it is important to note that this number is likely an underestimation, and the true toll could be higher.

The impact of these civilian deaths extends beyond the immediate loss of life and includes long-lasting repercussions on the country's healthcare system. The war has disrupted and damaged Afghanistan's healthcare infrastructure, leaving many without access to essential medical services. The breakdown of the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure has left Afghans impoverished and vulnerable. The lack of access to clean drinking water, malnutrition, and reduced healthcare access have led to elevated rates of disease and premature death.

The war has also had a severe impact on mental health, with two-thirds of Afghans suffering from mental health issues, according to a 2009 report by the Afghan Ministry of Public Health. The ongoing conflict and violence have taken a toll on the psychological well-being of the population, especially women and children.

The shortage of female healthcare workers, due to the Taliban's restrictions on women's education and employment, has further exacerbated the situation. The ban on women working with international humanitarian organizations and the requirement for female healthcare workers to be accompanied by a male relative (mahram) have created additional obstacles for women seeking medical treatment.

The economic crisis and loss of jobs have left many Afghans unable to afford medical expenses, further compromising their access to healthcare. The reduction in international aid and development support have also severely impacted the healthcare system, with hospitals and clinics facing staff shortages, medicine shortages, and financial constraints.

The consequences of civilian deaths in Afghanistan go beyond the immediate loss of life and have had a profound impact on the country's healthcare system. The war has disrupted and damaged Afghanistan's healthcare infrastructure, leaving many without access to essential medical services, and exacerbating existing issues such as malnutrition, disease, and mental health concerns.

The role of the international community in protecting civilians

The international community has a crucial role to play in protecting civilians in Afghanistan. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has been at the forefront of these efforts, documenting and reporting on civilian casualties and human rights violations. UNAMA has also worked to facilitate dialogue and confidence-building measures between the Afghan government and the Taliban, with the aim of reducing violence and ultimately achieving a political settlement. The international community has provided financial and military support to UNAMA and other humanitarian organizations operating in Afghanistan.

The international community, particularly the United States and its allies, has also played a significant role in the Afghan conflict. The US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, known as "Operation Enduring Freedom," resulted in a high number of civilian casualties. According to the Costs of War Project, the war killed 176,000 people in Afghanistan, including 46,319 civilians. The United States and its allies have also been criticized for their counterterrorism strategies, which often prioritized military force over political negotiations and contributed to the rise of the Taliban.

In recent years, there have been calls for the international community to take a more active role in protecting civilians in Afghanistan. This includes providing humanitarian aid, supporting local peace initiatives, and facilitating political dialogue between the Afghan government and the Taliban. There have also been calls for the international community to address the root causes of the conflict, such as poverty, corruption, and a lack of legitimate political actors.

The international community has a responsibility to protect civilians in Afghanistan and to hold accountable those who commit human rights violations and war crimes. The international community should also support efforts to achieve a sustainable peace that addresses the needs and aspirations of all Afghans, including women, minorities, and other vulnerable groups.

Frequently asked questions