23 Apr 2018 | 05:06 AM UTC
Afghanistan: Civilian casualties near record levels January-March 2018
Civilian casualties near record levels in Afghanistan January-March 2018; rates of suicide bombings and complex attacks double compared to 2017 levels
Event
Civilian casualties are near all-time highs in Afghanistan so far in 2018. From January 1 to March 31, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) counted some 2258 casualties, including 763 deaths and 1495 wounded, attributed to armed conflict. While such numbers are similar to historically high rates in 2016 and 2017, UNAMA has also claimed that the number of people killed or wounded in suicide bombing attacks and complex attacks has roughly doubled compared to the same period in 2017. The incidence of such militant attacks is expected to remain around such levels in Afghanistan in the short- to medium-term.
Context
Afghanistan, including Kabul, has experienced a wave of deadly terrorist attacks in recent months, which is likely to continue in the short-term. The Taliban is expected to ramp up its insurgent activities throughout the spring period in order to improve their negotiating position ahead of potential peace talks with the Afghan government.
Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) is also active in Afghanistan and has carried out several attacks in the country in recent months. Notably, IS-KP carried out a suicide bombing attack at a voter registration center in Kabul on April 22, killing at least 57 people and wounding some 119 others. A spate of Taliban and IS-KP attacks in Kabul also killed over 150 people over a period of ten days in January alone.
Advice
Due to major security concerns in the country, individuals throughout Afghanistan are urged to keep a safe distance from large gatherings, military convoys, government buildings, and crowded urban areas. Many Western governments advise their citizens against travel to Afghanistan due to the high threat of kidnapping and terrorism, including frequent attacks against Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, local civilians and politicians, and individuals working in the humanitarian and reconstruction fields. Travel to the country should only be undertaken with proper security protocols in place.
