KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has received credible reports of significant civilian casualties, including women and children, as a result of clashes between Afghanistan’s de facto security forces and Pakistani military forces, and welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire.

Since 10 October, cross-border armed violence has escalated significantly between the two parties, killing and injuring scores of civilians.

To date, the highest number of civilian casualties in Afghanistan has been in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province, where heavy fighting between de facto security forces and Pakistani military forces took place on Wednesday. UNAMA is still assessing the exact number of killed and injured; current information, however, indicates that at least 17 civilians were killed and 346 injured in Spin Boldak on the Afghan side of the border.

UNAMA also documented at least 16 civilian casualties (one killed, 15 injured) as a result of earlier cross-border clashes in Paktika, Patkya, Kunar and Helmand provinces.

UNAMA calls on all parties to bring a lasting end to hostilities to protect civilians and prevent further loss of life, and reminds all parties of their obligations under international law to comply with the key principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution to prevent civilian casualties.