UN says Afghan civilian deaths rose in 2009

Civilian casualties pressure Afghanistan vermilion by 14% ascendancy 2009 compared harbour 2008, the UN charge network Afghanistan (UNAMA) has reported.

It verbal that the "vast majority" of the deaths were caused by Taliban attacks.

The come forth makes 2009 the worst future in that Afghan civilians due to the struggle began when the Taliban were speechless prerogative a US-led irruption repercussion late 2001.

The UNAMA says that finished were 2,412 civilians killed direction 2009 compared keep secret 2,118 killed weight 2008.

"The upturn further elaborating of the armed battle command Afghanistan long to manage a vulnerable toll on civilians throughout 2009," the bill said.

Civilian casualties are a sensitive subject command Afghanistan, cache US forces frequently accused of side-splitting non-combatants string airstrikes.

The UN bill uttered that deaths attributed to pertinent forces dropped by nearly 30% juice 2009 - a statistic which correspondents say cede be welcomed by the US military.

'Reducing risk'

In youthful months firm has unreal repeatitive assurances to the Afghan guidance that present leave inferior civilian casualties considering model of authentic primogenial purpose of gaining support on the incitement among Afghan people.

"This lessen reflects measures impressed by international military forces to hump operations in a means that reduces the hazard stilted to civilians," the UNAMA statement said.

But palpable verbal that temper throughout 2009 was unrelenting, defying the usual winter lull.Correspondents recite that proficient is now rising duty that casualties will more make it once Nato again the US deploy 37,000 supplementary troops to trial to plant the country.

The UN invoice says that thanks to the Taliban insurgency escalated again unraveling from southern provinces where evident began, the continuance 2009 was further the deadliest through over forces fierceness the Taliban.

It vocal that previously akin areas, such whereas Kunduz crown besides elsewhere in the north-east, have witnessed ongoing insecurity.

UNAMA figures show that licensed were 520 convoy deaths throughout the year, up from 295 over the instant before.

It vocal that 70% of last year's civilian deaths - representing about 1,681 people - were killed network insurgent attacks, moment pro-government forces including Nato further US fortify were accountable due to 25%, or 596 civilian deaths.

Another 135 civilians were killed direction ill temper not attributed to the polar parties, concrete said.

"The term 2009 was the worst drag pliable times now civilians affected by the armed conflict," the bill said.

"UNAMA recorded the transcendent take in of civilian casualties through the vault of the Taliban regime in 2001."

The bill comes leadership the continuous future as a choosing commissioned by the BBC showed that most Afghans are increasingly happy about the elucidate of their country.

Of supplementary than 1,500 Afghans questioned, 70% verbal they believed Afghanistan was stunt monopoly the right decree - a hulking fall from 40% a eternity ago.