Deadly Toll In Afghanistan: Us Soldier Deaths In 2010

The US war in Afghanistan has resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of lives, including civilians, soldiers, and contractors. In 2010, 711 foreign soldiers were killed in Afghanistan, making it the deadliest year for foreign military troops since the US invasion in 2001. The US Department of Defense recorded 2,218 deaths among American service members in Afghanistan between October 7, 2001, and December 31, 2014. However, according to data from Harvard University's Kennedy School and the Brown University Costs of War project, 2,448 American service members lost their lives in Afghanistan through April 2021.

The US war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the country, causing the breakdown of the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure

The US war in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, has had a devastating impact on the country. The war was a response to the September 11 attacks, with the US-led coalition aiming to target Al-Qaeda and find Osama bin Laden. While the war resulted in the toppling of the Taliban-ruled Islamic Emirate, it also caused a breakdown of the economy, public health, security, and infrastructure in Afghanistan.

Economy

Afghanistan's economy has been left in ruins due to the war. The country already had a depressed economy before the US-led invasion, and the conflict only made the situation worse. During the war, the Afghan economy became heavily dependent on foreign aid, which accounted for around 45% of the country's GDP and funded 75% of the government's budget, including essential services such as health and education. However, this financial aid did not reach the local citizens, who continued to struggle to meet their basic needs. The war also disrupted the country's ability to build a strong economy, with resources being diverted towards military efforts instead. As a result, Afghanistan's economy remains vulnerable and in decline, with high rates of poverty and food insecurity.

Public Health

The war has also had a significant impact on public health in Afghanistan. The prolonged conflict has led to elevated rates of disease, malnutrition, and reduced access to healthcare. Mental health issues are prevalent, with a World Bank study finding that half of the Afghan population aged 15 and older suffers from depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. The US withdrawal further exacerbated public health concerns, leading to a lack of access to medicines and the departure of healthcare workers.

Security

The security situation in Afghanistan has been fragile due to the war. The US-led coalition's efforts to establish a stable democratic authority and prevent the Taliban from returning to power faced challenges. The Taliban remained a persistent threat, and despite the peace agreement, insurgent attacks against Afghan security forces surged. The US withdrawal further strained relations between the US and Afghanistan, with incidents of civilian casualties and a perception of disrespect for Afghan culture contributing to resentment.

Infrastructure

The war has also led to the breakdown of infrastructure in Afghanistan. The country has struggled to rebuild and develop its infrastructure due to the prolonged conflict. Basic services are lacking, and the government has faced challenges in establishing effective police forces and security measures. The US withdrawal further impacted the country's ability to maintain and improve its infrastructure, leaving Afghanistan in a vulnerable position.

In 2010, the US war in Afghanistan continued to take a heavy toll, with a significant number of casualties among US and foreign troops. On February 19, 2010, the number of American fatalities reached 1,000, and throughout the year, several incidents resulted in the deaths of US soldiers, including IED attacks, insurgent assaults, and helicopter crashes.

The US military's relaxed rules of engagement for airstrikes in Afghanistan in 2017 led to a 330% increase in civilian casualties

In 2010, the number of American fatalities in the War in Afghanistan reached 1,000. By April 2011, the number of fatalities was 1,515. By September 2012, the total number surpassed 2,000.

In total, there were 2,459 United States military deaths in the War in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021. 1,922 of these deaths were the result of hostile action. 20,769 American service members were also wounded in action during the war.

In 2017, the US military relaxed its rules of engagement for airstrikes in Afghanistan, which resulted in 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 US-led airstrikes in Afghanistan increased by 330%.

The aim of relaxing the rules of engagement was to gain leverage at the bargaining table. After the US dropped the "mother of all bombs" on an Islamic State hideout in Afghanistan in April 2017, Trump said:

> We have the greatest military in the world, and they've done a job as usual. So we have given them total authorization, and that's what they're doing. And frankly, that's why they've been so successful lately.

The US Secretary of Defense, Mattis, indicated that US forces are now permitted to employ air power without a requirement that the intended objects of attack be "proximate" to US forces or US-advised Afghan forces. This "proximity" requirement, imposed by the preceding rules of engagement, restricted the use of air power to situations when "we have to basically be in contact with that enemy".

The relaxation of the rules of engagement is indicative of the Trump administration's determination to enhance the effect of US combat power in Afghanistan. However, it has resulted in a massive increase in civilian casualties, with airstrikes killing 700 civilians in Afghanistan in 2019 alone.

The war in Afghanistan has had devastating consequences for the country, with 92% of the population facing 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.

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

The US war in Afghanistan has been responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of people, including 2,459 US military personnel, 1,822 civilian contractors, and 66,000 Afghan national military personnel. The war has also claimed the lives of 47,245 Afghan civilians.

The CIA-backed Afghan strike forces have committed serious abuses, including extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, indiscriminate airstrikes, and attacks on medical facilities. These abuses have been documented by Human Rights Watch, which reported 14 cases from late 2017 to mid-2019 where CIA-backed Afghan strike forces committed serious violations of international humanitarian law, some amounting to war crimes.

The Afghan militia groups have unlawfully targeted civilians due to mistaken identity, poor intelligence, or political rivalries. They have also targeted houses based on intelligence that family members provided food to Taliban or ISIS insurgents, often under duress.

The US military provides logistical and air support to these strike forces, which operate outside the normal chain of command of Afghan security forces. The US government has failed to adequately investigate alleged unlawful airstrikes in Afghanistan, contributing to the culture of impunity surrounding these abuses.

The Afghan government should impartially investigate all allegations of abuse by Afghan security forces, prosecute those responsible for war crimes and serious abuses, and disband and disarm paramilitary forces operating outside normal chains of command. The US government should also investigate any US personnel involved in these abuses, prosecute those responsible for war crimes, and cease supporting Afghan forces that have been implicated in serious violations.

The war has exacerbated issues such as poverty, malnutrition, poor sanitation, and lack of access to healthcare, causing invisible wounds for Afghans

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 food insecurity and 3 million children at risk of acute malnutrition. The war has also caused a breakdown in the country's already poor sanitation systems, with 95% of the population lacking access to safe drinking water. This has led to an increase in waterborne diseases, with diarrhoea being the leading cause of illness in children under 5. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation facilities has also contributed to the spread of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, meningitis, and diphtheria.

The war has also resulted in a lack of access to healthcare, with only 27% of Afghans having access to improved water sources and just 5% having access to improved sanitation facilities. This has exacerbated the issue of malnutrition, with 41% of children under 5 suffering from stunted growth and 9.5% suffering from acute malnutrition. The situation is even worse in conflict areas, with one-third of children suffering from acute malnutrition. The lack of access to healthcare has also led to a rise in maternal mortality, with 1,600 deaths per 100,0000 births, and infant mortality, with 165 deaths per 1,000 births.

The conflict has also taken a toll on the mental health of Afghans, with two-thirds suffering from mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression. The war has also disrupted education, with only half of Afghan children receiving a basic education. The lack of access to education has further exacerbated the issue of malnutrition, as mothers are often illiterate and lack knowledge about good dietary practices.

The US Department of Defense reports that over 20,000 US soldiers were wounded in the conflict, many of whom now live with permanent disabilities

The US Department of Defense Casualty Status Report reveals that over 20,000 US soldiers were wounded in the conflict in Afghanistan, with many now living with permanent disabilities. The war in Afghanistan, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, resulted in 2,459 United States military deaths, with 1,922 of these being a direct result of hostile action. The US Department of Defense report also states that 20,769 American service members were wounded in action during the war.

The war in Afghanistan has had a devastating impact on the lives of many US soldiers, leaving them with physical and mental scars. The physical wounds range from amputations to spinal cord injuries, with many requiring the use of wheelchairs or prosthetics for mobility. The mental wounds are equally, if not more, debilitating, with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) being a common issue among returning soldiers. The suicide rate among US service members has climbed significantly since 2004, with four times as many service members dying by suicide than in combat in the post-9/11 wars. This highlights the urgent need for better mental health support and resources for returning veterans.

The impact of the war extends beyond those who served, as contractors and civilians were also wounded or killed. There were 1,822 civilian contractor fatalities recorded during the war, and thousands more were affected indirectly. The true toll of the war is felt not only by those who served on the front lines but also by their families and communities.

The war in Afghanistan has also taken a devastating toll on the Afghan people, with 66,000 Afghan national military personnel killed and 47,245 civilians losing their lives. The conflict has left countless others with permanent disabilities and mental health issues. Afghanistan has one of the highest rates of disabilities per capita in the world, with war being the primary cause. The ongoing conflict has also hindered access to essential services, education, and assistive devices for those living with disabilities.

The physical and mental wounds of war are long-lasting and far-reaching, affecting not just soldiers but also civilians and their families. The true cost of the conflict is measured not only in lives lost but also in the lives forever changed by injury and disability. The US Department of Defense report underscores the immense human toll of the war in Afghanistan, with over 20,000 US soldiers wounded and many facing permanent disabilities as a result of their service.

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