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The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has expressed concern at the recent escalation of violence in southern restive Helmand province, which reportedly claimed the lives of at least 25 civilians and injured several others.
"On 9 and 10 February, International Military Forces conducted airstrikes in Helmand's Sangin District reportedly targeting Anti-Government Elements. UNAMA's initial enquiries suggest that the airstrikes killed at least 18 civilians, nearly all women and children. UNAMA notes that (NATO-led) Resolute Support has initiated an investigation into the incident," it said in a statement on Sunday.
On Saturday, Taliban militants conducted a suicide attack targeting Afghan army soldiers outside of Kabul Bank in Lashkar Gah, capital of Helmand, killing seven civilians and injured more than a dozen others, including several child vendors.
"UNAMA reiterates the need for all parties to the conflict to strictly adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law to take all feasible measures to protect civilians from harm," the statement reads.
Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold.
"The people of Helmand have suffered greatly due to the armed conflict in Afghanistan, with 891 civilians killed or injured during 2016. This figure was the highest in the country in 2016 outside of Kabul,"
More than 3,498 civilians were killed and over 7,920 others injured in conflict-related incidents across Afghanistan last year, according to figures released by the UNAMA earlier this month.
The UN mission also expressed its sincere condolences to the families of victims and hopes for a speedy recovery to those injured, the statement said.
(APD)
