UN records 3,774 civilian casualties in Afghanistan since Taliban return

Geneva, Jun 27 (EFE).- A total of 3,774 civilian casualties have been documented by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in the country since the Taliban stormed Kabul in August 2021, UN Human Rights spokesperson Liz Throssell said at a press conference Tuesday.

The number of casualties – 1,095 dead and 2,679 wounded – reported were from Aug.15, 2021 to May 30, 2023, according to the latest report by UNAMA.

At least three-fourth of these attacks were caused by improvised explosive devices, said Throssell, adding that the Shia Hazara community of Afghanistan accounted for most of these victims.

According to UNAMA, attacks on Shia Muslim places of worship accounted for more than a third of the total in Afghanistan.

At least 345 Hazaras were victims of these attacks, of which number 95 were killed and 250 wounded.

Throssell explained that most of these attacks were suicide bombings committed by the group called Islamic State – Khorasan.

The terrorists indiscriminately attacked populated areas, places of worship, schools and markets, according to the spokesperson, who called for an end to targeting civilians and urged the Taliban authorities to ensure the safety of citizens and carry out impartial and credible investigations into the incidents.

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