The Human Cost Of War: Examining The Toll On Non-Americans In Afghanistan

The war in Afghanistan has resulted in a significant loss of life for non-Americans. While the number of civilian deaths is difficult to pinpoint, it is estimated that over 432,000 civilians have been killed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen, and Pakistan since 2001. In Afghanistan and Pakistan alone, over 243,000 people have died since 2001, with more than 70,000 civilian deaths in Afghanistan as of March 2023. The war has also caused indirect deaths due to the destruction of hospitals, infrastructure, and environmental contamination, with the true toll likely much higher.

Civilian casualties: 47,245+ Afghan civilians killed

The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on civilians, with a significant number of Afghan civilians losing their lives. According to available data, the civilian death toll in Afghanistan is estimated to be over 47,245. This number represents the lives lost due to direct war violence and does not account for those who have died indirectly as a result of the conflict.

The war has not only claimed the lives of Afghan civilians but has also left deep scars on the surviving population. The conflict has led to a breakdown of the economy, public health infrastructure, security, and overall infrastructure in Afghanistan. The consequences of the war have been far-reaching, with 92% of the population facing food insecurity and approximately 3 million children at risk of acute malnutrition. The war has also taken a toll on the mental health of Afghans, with two-thirds of the population reported to be suffering from mental health issues in 2009.

The rules of engagement for airstrikes in Afghanistan were relaxed in 2017, resulting in a sharp increase in civilian casualties. During the Trump administration, the number of civilians killed by U.S.-led airstrikes in Afghanistan increased by 330% compared to the last year of the Obama administration. This change in strategy had a devastating impact on the ground, with a significant rise in civilian deaths.

The contamination of Afghan land with unexploded ordnance and landmines from previous wars continues to pose a significant threat to civilians. Children are often among the victims as they go about their daily activities, such as gathering wood or playing in fields and school buildings. The CIA's arming and funding of Afghan militia groups have also led to serious human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings of civilians.

The true extent of civilian casualties may be even higher than reported, as the indirect consequences of the war, such as the destruction of hospitals and infrastructure, environmental contamination, and disease, continue to take a toll on the population. The war in Afghanistan has not only claimed countless lives but has also left a legacy of suffering and devastation that will persist for years to come.

US military deaths: 2,448-2,459 US troops died

The War in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, claimed the lives of 2,448-2,459 US troops. This figure includes both those who died in hostile action and those who died from non-hostile causes.

The human cost of the war in Afghanistan is staggering, with thousands of US service members, contractors, and civilians losing their lives. The war also took a significant toll on the mental health of those who served, with many veterans suffering from psychological problems and an increased risk of suicide.

The US Department of Defense lists 2,459 servicemembers as having died in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Freedom's Sentinel, with 1,922 deaths resulting from hostile action and 534 from non-hostile causes. However, the website iCasualties.org provides a slightly lower figure of 2,455 servicemembers and 10 CIA operatives, for a total of 2,406 deaths of servicemen in support of operations in Afghanistan.

The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the lives of those who served and their families. It is important to honour the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to provide support for those who continue to bear the physical and mental wounds of war.

The conflict in Afghanistan has resulted in a significant loss of life for the US military, and the true cost of the war extends beyond the numbers to the individual stories and sacrifices of those who served and their loved ones.

US contractors: 3,846-3,917+ contractors killed

The US Department of Labor has reported that by March 31, 2021, a total of 1,822 civilian contractors were killed in Afghanistan. However, the Brown University Costs of War project estimates that the real number is about 3,814. This is further supported by a report from AP News, which states that 3,846 US contractors have been killed.

The number of contractor deaths is likely higher than the number of US troops killed. According to the US Department of Defense, 2,324 US military personnel died in the war in Afghanistan. However, the Pentagon does not keep track of contractor deaths, and the majority of US contractors are citizens of other countries, many of whose deaths appear not to have been reported.

Contractors quietly performed some of the war's most dangerous functions, including driving fuel trucks, cooking meals, cleaning, servicing advanced weapons systems, and guarding senior US officials.

The casualty toll is based on figures the US Department of Labor provided to Reuters in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Act and on locally gathered data. The Labor Department's statistics put the number of wounded contractors in Afghanistan from September 2001 to March 2007 at 2,428.

Afghan military deaths: 70,000+ Afghan military deaths

The war in Afghanistan has resulted in a staggering loss of life, with approximately 70,000 Afghan military and police deaths. This figure represents the human toll of the two-decade-long conflict on the Afghan people, which also includes the deaths of an estimated 46,319 Afghan civilians and 53,000 opposition fighters. The war has had a devastating impact on the country, with the destruction of infrastructure, economic collapse, and the exacerbation of poverty, malnutrition, and lack of access to healthcare and education.

The Afghan military has suffered heavy casualties, with 70,000 deaths confirmed and potentially many more injured. This number represents the tremendous sacrifice made by the Afghan security forces in their efforts to defend their country and maintain stability. The war has not only resulted in the loss of lives but also in the displacement of millions of Afghans, the creation of war widows and orphans, and the deterioration of mental health among the population.

The Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), which include the Afghan National Army (ANA) and the Afghan National Police (ANP), have been at the forefront of the fight against the Taliban and other insurgent groups. They have borne the brunt of the casualties, as they have been engaged in direct combat with the enemy and have been targeted by terrorist attacks. The ANSF has also faced challenges such as desertion, lack of equipment and training, and corruption, which have affected their ability to effectively counter the insurgency.

The United States and its allies have also suffered significant losses, with 2,459 American military deaths, 3,917 contractor fatalities, and 1,144 allied troops killed. The war in Afghanistan has been the longest war in American history, and the human cost has been immense for all those involved. The conflict has not only resulted in the loss of lives but also in the physical and psychological wounds inflicted on those who have served.

The Afghan military deaths represent the tremendous sacrifice made by the country's security forces in their efforts to defend their nation. Their bravery and dedication should be honoured and recognised by the international community. The world must not forget the human toll of the war in Afghanistan and the ongoing struggle of the Afghan people to rebuild their lives and their country.

Non-US allied troops: 1,144+ non-US allies killed

The war in Afghanistan has resulted in a significant loss of life for non-US allied troops. As of April 2021, 2,448 American service members had been killed in Afghanistan. In addition to this, 1,144+ non-US allies, including other NATO member states, lost their lives.

The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the country and its people. The conflict has left Afghans impoverished, with 92% of the population facing food insecurity and 3 million children at risk of acute malnutrition. The war has also led to a breakdown of the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure in Afghanistan. The number of civilians who have died as an indirect result of the war is far higher, due to the destruction of hospitals, environmental contamination, and other war-related problems.

The US military's rules of engagement for airstrikes in Afghanistan were relaxed in 2017, resulting in a dramatic increase in civilian casualties. The CIA has also armed and funded Afghan militia groups, which have been implicated in serious human rights abuses and the killing of civilians. The war has exacerbated the effects of poverty, malnutrition, and lack of access to healthcare and sanitation.

The true cost of the war in Afghanistan goes beyond the number of lives lost. The conflict has caused immense suffering, displacement, and trauma for those who have survived. The full extent of the indirect costs is still unknown but includes injuries, illnesses, war widows and orphans, malnutrition, destruction of infrastructure, and environmental degradation.

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