DUSHANBE, August 7, 2015, Asia-Plus -- The Afghan conflict continued to exact a heavy toll on Afghan civilians in the first six months of 2015, with civilian casualties projected to equal or exceed the record high numbers documented in 2014, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on August 5.

UNAMA’s  2015 Midyear Report on Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict  documented 4,921 civilian casualties (1,592 deaths and 3,329 injured) in the first half of 2015, a one per cent increase in total civilian casualties compared to the same period in 2014.

The vast majority – or 90 per cent – of civilian casualties resulted from ground engagements, improvised explosive devices, complex and suicide attacks and targeted killings, according to the report, prepared in coordination with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Anti-government elements reportedly continued to cause the most harm despite a slight reduction in total civilian casualties.  UNAMA attributed 70 per cent of civilian casualties to their activities.

In the first six months of 2015, UNAMA documented a 23 per cent increase in women casualties and a 13 per cent increase in children casualties.

The report outlines key steps to be taken by parties to the conflict to mitigate casualties and protect civilians from harm.