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UNAMA warns of ‘unprecedented’ civilian deaths if violence is not stopped

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The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afganistan warned Monday it is concerned about the increasing number of reports of killing, ill-treatment, persecution and discrimination in communities affected by the current fighting and its aftermath.

UNAMA warned that Afghanistan could see the highest number of civilian deaths in more than a decade if the Taliban’s offensives are not stopped.

In its six-monthly report, released Monday, UNAMA also stated the pursuit of a military solution will only increase the suffering of the Afghan people and warned that Afghan troops and pro-government forces were responsible for a quarter of all civilian casualties.

“Unprecedented numbers of Afghan civilians will perish and be maimed this year if the increasing violence is not stemmed,” UNAMA head Deborah Lyons said in a statement released with the report.

“I implore the Taliban and Afghan leaders to take heed to the conflict’s grim and chilling trajectory and its devastating impact on civilians.”

The UN envoy, who is also the head of UNAMA, called on the Taliban and Afghan leaders to,
“Intensify your efforts at the negotiating table, stop the Afghan against Afghan fighting. Protect the Afghan people and give them hope for a better future.”

The UNAMA report stated that much of the battlefield action during the most deadly months of May and June took place outside cities, in areas with comparatively low population levels but stated “the UN is gravely concerned that if intensive military action is undertaken in urban areas with high population densities, the consequences for Afghan civilians could be catastrophic”.

During the first half of 2021, some 1,659 civilians were killed and another 3,254 wounded – a 47 percent increase compared with the same period last year, the UNAMA report said.

The rise in civilian casualties was particularly sharp in May and June – the initial period of the Taliban’s current offensives – with 783 civilians killed and 1,609 wounded, it added.

UNAMA blamed anti-government elements for 64 percent of civilian casualties — including some 40 percent caused by the Taliban and nearly nine percent by Daesh.

About 16 percent of casualties were caused by “undetermined” anti-government elements.

But Afghan troops and pro-government forces were responsible for 25 percent, it said.

UNAMA said about 11 percent of casualties were caused by “crossfire” and the responsible parties could not be determined.

The reported stated that Afghan leaders, with the support of the region and the international community, must heed and answer the calls for peace from the people.

According to UNAMA, women comprised 14 percent of all civilian casualties during this period, with a total of 727 women casualties recorded (219 killed and 508 injured), an increase of 82 percent compared with the first six months of last year.

UNAMA stated Anti-Government Elements were responsible for 57 percent of women casualties, while Pro-Government Forces were responsible for 31 percent, and crossfire/other accounted for the remaining 12 percent of women casualties.

Of the 39 incidents of targeted killings that resulted in women casualties, women appeared to have been the main target in 18 of the incidents, resulting in four women killed and 25 women injured.

The high casualty toll among children was also concerning with 682 child casualties (468 killed and 1,214 injured) documented in this period. This was a 55 percent increase compared to the first six months of last year, UNAMA stated.

This included 622 girl casualties (171 killed and 451 injured) and 1,041 boy casualties (293 killed and 748 injured).

Anti-Government Elements were responsible for 50 percent of all child casualties, while Pro-Government Forces were responsible for 34 percent, and crossfire during ground engagements accounted for 12 percent of child casualties.

“Particularly shocking and of deep concern is that women, boys and girls made up close to half of all civilian casualties,” the report said.

UNAMA also noted a resurgence of sectarian attacks against the country’s Shiite Hazara community, resulting in 143 deaths.

Afghan forces spokesman Gen. Omar Shinwari addressed a news conference in Kabul today & rejected UNAMA’s report on civilian casualties by Afghan forces. He said security forces have retreated from many areas to prevent civilian casualties.

The Taliban has meanwhile rejected UNAMA’s report on civilian casualties and called it “biased and untrue.”

“Nowhere in the last six months have the Mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate deliberately killed civilians or carried out attacks that could have resulted in civilian casualties,” the group said in a statement.

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Israel issues urgent warning to Iranians to evacuate areas not military sites

The warning, delivered through diplomatic channels and public statements, comes amid fears of an expanded Israeli military campaign targeting strategic sites across Iran.

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In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Israel has issued a stark and urgent warning to Iranian civilians: evacuate areas near military and nuclear facilities immediately.

The warning, delivered through diplomatic channels and public statements, comes amid fears of an expanded Israeli military campaign targeting strategic sites across Iran.

Israeli defense officials said the move is aimed at minimizing civilian casualties as military operations intensify. “We are urging Iranian civilians to leave areas close to military compounds, missile bases, and nuclear infrastructure. These locations are not safe,” an Israeli government spokesperson said.

“We do not seek harm to innocent people, but we will not hesitate to act against threats to our national security.”

The warning follows reports that Israel has already conducted precision strikes on several Iranian military targets, with further action expected. The Fordo uranium enrichment facility, long considered a hardened and heavily protected site, is believed to be among the potential future targets.

While Iran has not formally responded to the evacuation warning, state media accused Israel of “psychological warfare” and denied that any evacuations are necessary. However, unconfirmed reports on social media suggested increased movement of families and vehicles from areas near known military installations.

The international community has expressed concern about the potential for a broader regional conflict. The United States, though declining to join Israel’s military operations, has urged both sides to avoid actions that could lead to full-scale war. “We support de-escalation and diplomacy, but we recognize Israel’s right to defend itself,” a senior U.S. official said.

Israel’s unprecedented warning to Iranian civilians signals that further strikes may be imminent—and potentially larger in scale. Experts say this level of public notice is rare and underscores the seriousness of the situation.

As the region braces for what may come next, the Israeli government has reiterated that its fight is not with the Iranian people but with what it calls the “aggressive and clandestine actions” of the Iranian regime.

“We are targeting weapons, not civilians,” an Israeli military source emphasized. “But we strongly advise the people of Iran: if you are near a military facility, leave now.”

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Israel urged US to join strikes on Iran, but Washington declined

A US official confirmed Israel’s request but said that Washington is not currently considering joining the conflict.

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Israel has requested US support in its ongoing military campaign against Iran, but Washington has rejected the proposal for now, according to a report by Axios, citing both Israeli and American officials.

Over the past 48 hours, Israeli officials reportedly asked the Trump administration to take part in strikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear infrastructure.

Two Israeli sources told Axios that Israel is seeking American assistance, particularly in targeting Iran’s underground Fordo uranium enrichment facility—believed to be beyond the reach of Israel’s military capabilities alone.

A US official confirmed Israel’s request but said that Washington is not currently considering joining the conflict.

A senior White House official told Axios that while Israel’s military operations are unlikely to be stopped, the US is still pushing for diplomacy. “Whatever happens with Israel’s strikes on Iran cannot be prevented… but we have the ability to negotiate a peaceful resolution to this conflict if Iran is willing. The fastest way for Iran to achieve peace is to give up its nuclear weapons program,” the official said.

The report also noted that former President Donald Trump had previously told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the U.S. might consider a strike on the Fordo site if it became necessary to stop Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. However, the White House has denied that any such military action is currently under consideration, reiterating that “now is not the time” for a U.S.-led attack.

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Nearly one-third of Afghanistan’s population lacks access to safe drinking water

More than 10 million people in Afghanistan continue to rely on unsafe and unprotected water sources

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The United Nations has raised alarm over the ongoing water crisis in Afghanistan, revealing that nearly one-third of the country’s population does not have access to safe drinking water.

According to UN data, more than 10 million people in Afghanistan continue to rely on unsafe and unprotected water sources.

Despite some progress in recent years, the crisis remains a major burden—particularly for rural communities, with women and children bearing the brunt of its impact.

In response to this pressing challenge, the United Nations has reaffirmed its commitment to rehabilitating and restoring water supply infrastructure damaged by years of conflict and drought; expanding and improving health and sanitation services to reach more than 5 million Afghans by 2026; and strengthening the capacity of local communities to sustainably manage water resources.

The UN emphasizes that ensuring equitable access to clean water is not only vital for public health, but also essential for community resilience and long-term development in Afghanistan.

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