Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Friday, March 29th, 2024

Serious Steps Needed to Cut Civilian Casualties: Abdullah

Serious Steps Needed to  Cut Civilian Casualties: Abdullah

KABUL - Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Abdullah Abdullah has called for international pressure on supporters of terrorist groups, saying more measures are needed to reduce civilian casualties.
Last week, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in its annual report that more than 10,000 Afghans civilians suffered casualties last year.
A total of 10,453 civilian casualties -- 3,438 people killed and 7,015 injured -- were documented in the 2017 Annual Report released by the UN mission.
A statement from the CEO office said that a meeting was chaired by Abdullah on Monday on assessing the measures taken by the security forces to prevent civilian casualties.
The CEO, stressing the protection of civilians, noted better enforcement of regulations, practices, punishments and improved public awareness. But the level of civilian casualties was still shocking, he said.
He added international pressure on supporters of “terrorist groups” was necessary. He directed security organs to create a joint secretariat to promote programmes and evaluate findings on the emotive issue.

Spymaster Mohammad MasoomStanikzai said the National Directorate of Security was implementing policies for cutting civilian casualties. Stanikzai asked the international community to pressure supporters   of insurgents. (Pajhwok)