Deadly Skies: The Reaper's Toll In Afghanistan

The war in Afghanistan has resulted in a devastating loss of life. While there is no single official figure for the number of civilian casualties, estimates place the number of Afghan civilians killed since the US invasion in 2001 between 46,319 and 71,344. Of these, it is estimated that 3,977 were killed by airstrikes between 2016 and 2020, with 40% of those being children. The war has also had a significant impact on Afghanistan's infrastructure and economy, with 92% of the population facing food insecurity and 3 million children at risk of acute malnutrition.

US airstrikes in Afghanistan have killed hundreds of children in the past five years

US airstrikes in Afghanistan have had devastating impacts on civilians, including children, over the past five years. Between 2016 and 2020, there were nearly 1,600 child casualties attributed to airstrikes, with 785 children killed and 813 injured. This means that 40% of all civilian airstrike casualties and 37% of those civilians killed by airstrikes were children. The majority of civilian deaths from airstrikes (62%) during this period were caused by international forces, with US-led international forces responsible for 57% of child casualties.

The high number of child deaths from airstrikes in Afghanistan is partly due to the increased reliance on US aerial operations as foreign ground troop numbers dwindled. In 2017, the Rules of Engagement for airstrikes against the Taliban were loosened, allowing the US Air Force to conduct more airstrikes. As a result, the US dropped more weapons on Afghanistan in 2018 and 2019 than at the height of their presence in 2011—at a rate of more than 20 a day. This heavy bombardment led to the deadliest year of airstrikes for children in Afghanistan on record. In 2018, there was an 85% increase in child casualties from airstrikes compared to the previous year, resulting in a rate of four child casualties every three days.

The US military has faced criticism for its role in civilian deaths and injuries in Afghanistan. In March 2019, a US airstrike in Kunduz killed ten children and three adult civilians from the same extended family. While the US military initially denied causing any civilian casualties, they eventually admitted that 12 civilians were killed and one was injured. Discrepancies in reporting civilian casualties are common, with the US often acknowledging far fewer casualties than other organizations. For example, in 2018, the US acknowledged 117 civilian casualties from airstrikes, while UNAMA attributed 644 civilian casualties to international airstrikes that year.

The Afghan Air Force has also contributed to civilian casualties. In the first six months of 2020, civilian casualties resulting from airstrikes by the Afghan Air Force tripled compared to the same period in 2019. With the US-trained Afghan Air Force now taking the lead in airstrikes against the Taliban, there are concerns that the risk to civilians from aerial weapons remains and may worsen.

The US military relaxed its rules of engagement for airstrikes in Afghanistan in 2017, 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 part of President Trump's strategy to "lift restrictions and expand authorities" for fighters in Afghanistan.

Under the new rules, US forces were no longer bound by the requirement to be in contact with enemy forces or in close proximity to US or US-advised Afghan forces before opening fire or employing airpower. This change aimed to enhance the effect of US combat power and speed up the battle against the Taliban.

However, the relaxation of rules led to a significant 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 US-led airstrikes in Afghanistan increased by 330%.

In 2018, the deadliest year of airstrikes for children in Afghanistan, 236 minors were killed and 256 were injured, resulting in a total of 492 child casualties. This was an 85% increase from the previous year, with a rate of four child casualties every three days.

The US military's actions had severe consequences for the Afghan civilian population, causing a dramatic increase in deaths and injuries that could have been avoided with stricter rules of engagement and a greater emphasis on civilian protection.

The CIA has armed and funded Afghan militia groups, who have committed serious human rights abuses and killed civilians

The CIA's involvement with these militias dates back to the initial weeks after the September 11, 2001 attacks, when they worked with existing anti-Taliban forces and recruited new militias to pursue Al-Qaeda militants. The early versions of these paramilitary strike forces were in place and operating as part of the CIA's covert operations before other US ground forces arrived in Afghanistan.

The CIA-backed strike forces are a particularly troublesome version of the regionally based militias in Afghanistan that have developed around local strongmen with external support. They are paid about $1,000 monthly, much more than an ordinary soldier. The CIA sponsorship ensures their operations are shrouded in secrecy, with little to no public oversight or accountability for their actions.

These strike forces have committed numerous abuses, including:

• Extrajudicial killings: In many cases, the strike forces have unlawfully targeted and executed civilians due to mistaken identity, poor intelligence, or political rivalries.
• Enforced disappearances: In some cases, the strike forces have detained individuals without informing their families of their whereabouts, effectively making them disappear.
• Indiscriminate airstrikes: The strike forces have called in airstrikes that have indiscriminately and disproportionately killed Afghan civilians, including women and children.
• Attacks on medical facilities: The strike forces have raided and damaged medical facilities, assaulted and killed medical staff, and disrupted operations by questioning staff and confiscating equipment.

The US government has largely ignored or turned a blind eye to these abuses, prioritizing short-term military gains over human rights and long-term stability. The CIA's actions have fueled the cycle of conflict, inspired recruitment to the insurgency, undermined political dialogue, and contributed to the Taliban resurgence.

The US and Afghan governments should cooperate with independent investigations into allegations of war crimes and human rights abuses by these strike forces. The Afghan government should disband and disarm all paramilitary forces operating outside the ordinary military chain of command, and the US government should cease supporting and funding these groups.

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

The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the country's population, with high levels of poverty, malnutrition, poor sanitation, and lack of access to healthcare taking a heavy toll on Afghans' health.

Poverty

The war has left Afghans massively impoverished, with at least half of the population living on less than $1.90 per day. The conflict has disrupted the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure, leading to widespread food insecurity. According to the International Rescue Committee, 91% of household income is spent on food, forcing many families to resort to rationing. The loss of jobs and livelihoods due to the war has left many Afghans struggling to meet their basic needs, including access to nutritious food and healthcare.

Malnutrition

Malnutrition is a significant issue in Afghanistan, with 92% of the population facing some level of food insecurity. Children are particularly vulnerable, with 3 million at risk of acute malnutrition. The lack of access to nutritious food has led to an increase in preventable diseases and has had severe consequences for pregnant and lactating women. The World Food Programme estimates that nearly 20 million people in Afghanistan are acutely food insecure, with more than 6.1 million on the brink of famine-like conditions. The situation has been further exacerbated by consecutive years of drought, which have disrupted food production and contributed to food insecurity.

Poor Sanitation

The war has also led to poor sanitation and a lack of access to clean drinking water, which has had detrimental effects on Afghans' health. Diseases caused by contaminated water, such as Acute Watery Diarrhea and respiratory infections, are prevalent and often appear alongside malnutrition. The lack of proper sanitation infrastructure, made worse by the war, has contributed to the spread of these diseases.

Lack of Access to Healthcare

The war has severely impacted the healthcare system in Afghanistan, with hospitals and clinics struggling to provide adequate care due to a lack of resources and staff. Many healthcare professionals have left the country or quit their jobs due to the conflict, leading to a shortage of qualified doctors and nurses. The Taliban's restrictions on women's education and employment have further exacerbated the issue, as female healthcare workers are often not allowed to work or face challenges in accessing healthcare facilities. The shortage of female healthcare professionals has particularly affected women and girls, who may not be able to seek treatment from male doctors due to cultural norms.

The combination of these factors has resulted in a public health crisis in Afghanistan, with high rates of preventable diseases, malnutrition, and mental health issues. Afghans' health has been severely compromised by the war, and the lack of access to basic necessities such as food, clean water, and healthcare has exacerbated the situation. The war-induced breakdown of the economy and infrastructure has left the population vulnerable and struggling to meet their basic needs.

The US government and the United Nations should ensure that civilian casualties, both direct and indirect, are included in public reporting of war deaths

The US-led war in Afghanistan has incurred staggering costs in terms of human lives and economic resources. The war has resulted in the deaths of thousands of US military personnel, contractors, and allied troops, as well as tens of thousands of Afghan civilians and military personnel. The true extent of the casualties is difficult to ascertain due to the dynamic and complex nature of the conflict, which involves various state and non-state actors.

The protection of civilians in armed conflict is a fundamental principle of international humanitarian law. The US government and the United Nations have a moral and legal obligation to ensure that civilian casualties, both direct and indirect, are accurately recorded and included in public reporting of war deaths. This transparency is essential for several reasons:

• Accountability and Justice: By acknowledging and publicizing civilian casualties, those responsible for inflicting harm can be held accountable for their actions. This includes not only combatants but also decision-makers and political leaders whose strategies and policies may have contributed to civilian deaths.
• Humanitarian Assistance: Accurate data on civilian casualties can help guide humanitarian responses and ensure that aid reaches those who need it most. This is especially critical in Afghanistan, where the war has devastated the country's infrastructure, leaving millions displaced and struggling to access food, water, and healthcare.
• Prevention of Future Conflicts: Public reporting of civilian casualties can serve as a deterrent for future conflicts. It underscores the human cost of war and can influence political and military strategies to minimize civilian harm.
• Reparations and Reconciliation: Acknowledging civilian casualties is an important step towards justice and reparations for the families and communities affected by the war. It also contributes to the process of reconciliation and healing in a post-conflict society.
• Policy Evaluation and Reform: By examining civilian casualty data, governments and international organizations can evaluate the effectiveness of their policies and strategies in protecting civilians. This can lead to much-needed reforms to better safeguard civilian lives in future conflicts.

The inclusion of civilian casualties in public reporting is not just a matter of transparency but also of ethical and legal responsibility. It is crucial for holding accountable those who inflict harm, providing humanitarian assistance, deterring future conflicts, pursuing justice and reparations, and ultimately saving innocent lives.

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