The Human Cost Of War: Examining The Toll Of Insurgent Deaths In Afghanistan

The War in Afghanistan has resulted in a high number of casualties, including civilian deaths. While it is challenging to determine the exact number of insurgents killed, various sources provide insights into the overall impact of the conflict. The United Nations reported that in the first quarter of 2019, pro-government forces were responsible for 53% of civilian deaths, while insurgents caused the majority (54%) of all civilian casualties. During this period, there was a relative lull in insurgent suicide attacks, particularly in the capital city of Kabul, a repeated target during the 18-year conflict. The human toll of the war extends beyond direct casualties, as many civilians have been killed in their homes, markets, and on roadways by bombs, bullets, and other weapons. The total death toll in Afghanistan and other post-9/11 war zones is estimated to be at least 4.5-4.7 million, with more than 7.6 million children under five suffering from acute malnutrition.

Insurgents vs pro-government forces: who is responsible for more civilian deaths?

The war in Afghanistan has resulted in a massive loss of civilian lives. According to the United Nations, between January 1 and March 31, 2019, 581 civilians were killed, with Afghan and international forces responsible for 305 of those deaths. This marked the first time that civilian deaths caused by government forces and their allies exceeded those of their enemies.

The war has not only resulted in deaths from suicide bombings and insurgent attacks but also from being caught in the crossfire as Afghan forces and international allies pursue militants. Airstrikes and search operations have resulted in a high proportion of civilian deaths, with nearly half of the civilian deaths attributed to Afghan forces and their allies occurring during airstrikes.

In the first quarter of 2019, the Taliban and other militants were responsible for wounding more civilians than coalition forces. However, overall civilian casualties dropped to their lowest level during that period since 2013.

The war has also had indirect effects on civilian deaths. The breakdown of the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure has left Afghans impoverished, with 92% facing food insecurity and 3 million children at risk of acute malnutrition. Additionally, unexploded ordnance and landmines continue to kill and injure civilians, particularly children.

While the number of insurgents killed in Afghanistan is not definitively known, it is clear that the actions of both insurgents and pro-government forces have resulted in significant civilian casualties. However, according to the United Nations and other sources, pro-government forces have been responsible for more civilian deaths in recent years.

The Taliban's pledge to avoid civilian casualties during Ramadan

The Taliban have pledged to avoid civilian casualties during the holy month of Ramadan. However, this pledge has not been honoured in the past, with the Taliban carrying out attacks on civilians during Ramadan.

In May 2019, for example, the Taliban attacked the compound of Counterpart International, an American-run contractor, in Kabul, killing at least nine people and wounding 20 others. The majority of the victims were civilians. This attack took place during the holy month of Ramadan, and the Taliban did not seem to be adhering to their pledge to avoid civilian casualties.

Similarly, in May 2017, the Taliban carried out a suicide car bombing in the capital of Khost province, killing 13 members of a CIA-backed militia. This attack occurred during Ramadan, and the Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, had previously stated that there would be no ceasefire during the holy month.

In April 2020, the Taliban killed 17 civilians and wounded 49 during the first week of Ramadan, despite signing a peace deal with the US. The casualties were caused by roadside bombs and direct fire.

The Taliban have a history of targeting civilians and have been responsible for a significant number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan. According to a United Nations report in April 2019, Afghan and international forces killed more civilians than insurgents in the first three months of the year, marking the first time that deaths caused by government forces and their allies exceeded those of their enemies. The report also noted that nearly half of the civilian deaths attributed to Afghan forces and their allies occurred during airstrikes.

The Taliban have imposed strict restrictions on women and girls, limited freedom of expression, and carried out public executions and corporal punishment. They have also been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the persecution of ethnic and religious minorities.

While the Taliban claim to protect civilian lives, their actions and statements suggest otherwise. The group has repeatedly stated its intention to continue fighting and has no plans to negotiate a ceasefire or conduct peace talks with the Afghan government.

During Ramadan, the Taliban have historically waged war under the pretext of self-protection, using and distorting Koranic verses to support their position. Despite their pledge to avoid civilian casualties during the holy month, the Taliban's actions indicate a lack of regard for human life and a willingness to engage in violence even during a period that is supposed to be marked by peace and reflection.

The impact of the war on children

Afghanistan has been ravaged by four decades of war. The conflict has had a devastating impact on the country's children, who make up over half of the population. The war has led to widespread food insecurity, conflict, and displacement, with an estimated 18.4 million people in need of emergency humanitarian assistance.

Children in Afghanistan face extreme situations of violence and abuse due to ongoing fighting, displacement, a poor economy, and harmful social norms and practices. They are exposed to constant threats of violence and numerous rights violations, including forced marriage, corporal punishment, hazardous working conditions, and sexual abuse. Afghan boys and girls are at risk of military recruitment, with thousands of Afghans under the age of 18 enrolled in terrorist groups during the Taliban regime.

The war has taken a toll on children's physical and mental health. Limited access to clean water and sanitation has placed them at risk of contracting diarrhoea, typhoid, polio, and other contagious diseases. Additionally, recent assessments indicate that more than a third of children have been exposed to psychological distress due to loss of family and community members and the constant risk of death and injury.

The conflict has also contributed to malnutrition and food insecurity, affecting children's health and development. Afghanistan has one of the highest rates of malnutrition among children, and food shortages have had a disproportionate impact on Afghan girl children.

Overall, the war in Afghanistan has had a profound and far-reaching impact on the country's children, affecting their safety, education, health, and overall well-being. The consequences of the conflict will likely have long-lasting effects on this generation of Afghan children.

The number of foreign soldiers killed in Afghanistan

The War in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, resulted in a significant loss of life for coalition forces. Throughout the conflict, there were 3,606 coalition deaths as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and ISAF operations. The majority of these casualties were American, with 2,461 recorded deaths of US military personnel. However, between 2006 and 2011, a significant proportion of casualties were from other nations, particularly the United Kingdom and Canada, which were assigned responsibility for the volatile provinces of Helmand and Kandahar, respectively.

• United States of America: 2,461
• United Kingdom: 457
• Canada: 159
• France: 90
• Germany: 62
• Italy: 53
• Poland: 44
• Denmark: 43
• Australia: 41
• Spain: 35
• Georgia: 32
• Romania: 27
• Netherlands: 25
• Turkey: 15
• Czech Republic: 14
• New Zealand: 10
• Norway: 10
• Estonia: 9
• Hungary: 7
• Sweden: 5
• Latvia: 4
• Slovakia: 3
• Finland: 2
• Jordan: 2
• Portugal: 2
• South Korea: 2
• Albania: 1
• Belgium: 1
• Bulgaria: 1
• Croatia: 1
• Lithuania: 1
• Montenegro: 1

In addition to the deaths of foreign soldiers in Afghanistan, there were also casualties among coalition forces in other countries while supporting operations in Afghanistan. This included 59 US soldiers and one Canadian soldier. Furthermore, 62 Spanish soldiers returning from Afghanistan died in a plane crash in Turkey in 2003.

The conflict in Afghanistan has taken a heavy toll on all involved, and the number of casualties underscores the devastating impact of war.

The number of civilian deaths caused by coalition forces

The war in Afghanistan has resulted in a significant loss of civilian lives. The United States military relaxed its rules of engagement for airstrikes in Afghanistan in 2017, leading to a dramatic increase in civilian casualties. From the last year of the Obama administration to the last full year of recorded data during the Trump administration, the number of civilians killed by U.S.-led airstrikes in Afghanistan increased by 330%.

The CIA has also armed and funded Afghan militia groups, which have been implicated in grave human rights abuses and the extrajudicial killings of civilians.

According to the Costs of War Project, the war in Afghanistan has resulted in approximately 46,319 civilian deaths. However, the death toll is possibly higher due to unaccounted deaths caused by disease, loss of access to food, water, infrastructure, and other indirect consequences of the war. The Uppsala Conflict Data Program provides a different estimate, reporting 212,191 conflict-related deaths in Afghanistan.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that in the first three months of 2019, Afghan and international forces were responsible for more civilian deaths than the Taliban and other militants. This marked the first time in recent years that civilian deaths attributed to government forces and their allies exceeded those blamed on their enemies. During this period, 581 civilians were killed, with Afghan forces and their allies responsible for 305 of those deaths.

UNAMA's 2012 report revealed that the number of civilian casualties had decreased for the first time since the United Nations began collecting data. In 2012, there were 2,754 civilian deaths and 4,805 injuries recorded. The Taliban and other anti-government elements were blamed for four out of every five civilian deaths in Afghanistan that year.

The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the country's economy, public health, security, and infrastructure. The conflict has left Afghans impoverished, with 92% of the population facing some level of food insecurity and 3 million children at risk of acute malnutrition. The war has also exacerbated the effects of poverty, malnutrition, poor sanitation, lack of access to healthcare, and environmental degradation on Afghans' health.

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