In the last months of General Stanley McChrystal’s joint command of ISAF and the US Forces in Afghanistan, civilian casualty numbers had reduced considerably and air strikes and house searches at night had been restricted.
In the last months of General Stanley McChrystal’s joint command of ISAF and the US Forces in Afghanistan, civilian casualty numbers had reduced considerably and air strikes and house searches at night had been restricted.
But since General David Petraeus was installed as top commander, the war has worsened and there has been a considerable increase in civilian casualities, and deaths of national and international soldiers. Based on the predictions of US military officials orchestrating the war on the ground, there won’t be any reduction in casualties; they will only increase.
So far there are no indications that combatants on either side (Kabul versus the Taliban) respect the rules of combat intended to protect the civilian population and their property.
The Ministry of Interior Affairs unveiled its latest monthly report that showed civilian casualties have increased by 29 percent over the previous month.
The report also indicates that, besides civilian deaths, military casualties have hit an all time high. While 270 civilians were killed last month, 66 American soldiers, 125 policemen and 673 Taliban died.
The spokesman for the ministry, Zmarai Bashari, said about 588 civilians and 291 policemen were wounded last month.
The findings were released at a point when American military leaders, particularly the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, are warning of worsening war and levels of violence. Simultaneously, civilian casualties can be expected only to increase.
But Petraeus told reporters last week that he has made some changes in the military strategy, to consolidate the administration, expedite the peace process and make the utmost effort to prevent civilian casualties and win over the population.
In response, a retired general, Muhammad Aqa Logari, observes that only if General Petraeus is able to do as he says can NATO and US avert a tragedy – a rise in civilian deaths – and ensure the success of the Consultative Peace Jirga process launched in May.
While there is no let-up in the assaults on civilian targets by the Taliban, on July 23 a rocket, believed to have been an air strike, killed more than 52 civilians who were gathered in a house in Sangin in Helmand. The coalition forces have denied involvement.
A similar air attack in February, 2009 claimed the lives of 23 civilians in Kujran district of Daikundi province. Three cars carrying the victims were targeted from the air. At first, no one claimed responsibility for that attack. However, three months later the coalition forces admitted it was their fault.
They knew the people who were killed were civilians, but to show that they’re really serious when it comes to preventing civilian casualties, they produced a 180-page investigation report on the incident – which has not been acted upon.
Investigations are underway again into the recent incident in Helmand. The coalition forces may acknowledge responsibility for the air strike, and issue an apology once again.
There are other precedents. The 2008 incidents in Haska Mina, Nangarhar, when a wedding party was bombarded, and 23 died and Azizabad, in the Shindand district of Herat, where a US airstrike killed about 90 people, are not forgotten.
Afghanistan’s civilians are caught in the cross fire and suffer immeasurably. On the one hand they are targeted by the coalition forces’ air strikes and on the other hand, they’re victimized by the roadside bombs planted by the Taliban – on July 28, a roadside bomb killed 25 civilian passengers traveling from Nimroz to Kabul. Others are accused of being police informers, and their throats are slit.
Ordinary people are cannon fodder in the unending war in Afghanistan.
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