KABUL: Two air strikes have killed 14 civilians in Afghanistan in recentdays, the United Nations said Thursday, as the US intensifies its air waracross the country.
According to the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), five women and sevenchildren were among the 14 civilians killed in Helmand province in thesouth on May 20, and Kunar province in the east on May 22.
“Civilian casualty toll from airstrikes in #Afghanistan continues to rise,”UNAMA said on Twitter.
“Parties must respect international obligations to protect civilians fromharm.”
While the Afghan military does have a fledgeling air force, most strikesare led or supported by American air power. US Forces Afghanistan declinedto comment.
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According to US Air Force Central Command, the US dropped 7,362 bombs inAfghanistan in 2018, the highest number since at least 2010.
In April, UNAMA published a report saying Afghan civilians are for thefirst time being killed in greater numbers by US and pro-government forcesthan by the Taliban and other insurgent groups.
