UN documents 1,943 Afghan civilian casualties in Q1

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has documented 1,943 civilian casualties during the first three months of 2016, UN mission announced on Sunday.

The figures reveal an overall increase in civilian causalities with 600 deaths and 1,343 injured civilians.

“UNAMA calls on all parties to the conflict to take precautions to protect civilians during operations,” a statement released by UN said.

According to the UN report actions by Anti-Government Elements has caused ‘at least 60 percent of casualties’ while Pro-Government Forces caused at least 19 percent.

The UN mission added almost a third of the casualties were children.

“If the fighting persists near schools, playgrounds, homes and clinics, and parties continue to use explosive weapons in those areas – particularly mortars and IED tactics, these appalling numbers of children killed and maimed will continue,” UNAMA human rights director Danielle Bell said in a statement on Sunday.

The UNAMA further noted that 52 Afghan women also lost their lives and 143 sustained injuries in the first quarter of this year, registering a five-percent jump in the number of women casualties.

The announcement comes as fighting intensifies between the Afghan forces and Taliban militants after the Taliban group announced its spring offensive under the name of “Operation Omari”.