KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemns in the strongest terms yesterday’s attacks in Faryab, Kandahar, Paktika and Logar which killed 40 civilians, including 10 children, and injured at least 67 others. These attacks produced the deadliest single day for civilian deaths in 2012. They also represent the worst day in civilian deaths since the Ashura attack of December 2011 in Kabul. 

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Since UNAMA began monitoring incidents of civilian casualties in the present armed conflict, the indiscriminate use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and suicide attacks by Anti-Government Elements have by far caused the greatest number of civilian casualties. Yesterday’s attacks in Kandahar, Faryab and Paktika underlined the disproportionate impact that these internationally condemned tactics have on civilians, particularly on women and children.

UNAMA has also repeatedly expressed concern that aerial operations have resulted in more civilian deaths and injuries than any other tactic used by Pro-Government Forces since the present armed conflict began. Unfortunately, the incident in Logar on 6 June reinforces this trend.

UNAMA reiterates its condemnations of the use of improvised explosive devices and suicide attacks and the indiscriminate and disproportionate toll that they exact on Afghan women, children and men. UNAMA calls for those individuals responsible to be held accountable.

As a matter of urgency, UNAMA calls on all parties to the conflict to increase their efforts to protect civilians, and to comply fully with their legally binding international responsibility to minimize civilian loss of life and injury. Such measures would include the necessity for Pro-Government forces to further review procedures and directives aimed at preventing all harm to civilians in the planning and implementation of military operations, including aerial attacks.

UNAMA expresses its heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in these incidents and wishes a speedy recovery for those injured.