FIGURES published in a UN report released on Tuesday depict a grim picture of civilians in Afghanistan. While the government in Kabul and its Western backers continue to fight the Afghan Taliban (with the Americans simultaneously pursuing dialogue with the militant group), ordinary Afghans are dying in high numbers in the crossfire. What is most shocking is the fact that in the first half of 2019, the majority of these Afghans were killed by Nato and government forces. As per the UN’s figures, over 1,200 civilians were killed in acts of violence in the first six months of this year; more than 700 of these casualties were the result of air strikes and night raids carried out by Afghan forces and their foreign backers. However the Taliban, as well as the self-styled Islamic State group, which has a considerable presence in Afghanistan, have directly targeted 300 civilians. Unfortunately, attacks are a frequent occurrence in Afghanistan. On Wednesday over 30 people were killed when an IED went off targeting a bus in the western part of the country. The government says the Taliban are responsible for the atrocity, while the militia has denied involvement.

At a meeting held in Doha last month, members of the Taliban, civil society figures as well as Afghan politicians attending the event in their ‘personal’ capacity pledged to bring civilian casualties down to zero. Clearly, if the latest UN figures are anything to go by, a lot needs to be done in this regard by all sides. While the Afghan state has a responsibility to protect the country, such a high number of civilian casualties in government offensives are unacceptable, especially when Kabul is backed by the highly advanced military machine of its Western backers. The Taliban will also not win any hearts and minds if they continue to target non-combatants. The path to peace in Afghanistan is marked by the strange dichotomy of fighting and talking at the same time by the belligerents. A conscious effort needs to be made by all sides to live up to their pledges of protecting civilians and reducing collateral damage. Although terrorist groups like IS cannot be expected to have such scruples, the Afghan state, as well as the Taliban, needs to stop targeting non-combatants.

As the Afghan peace process continues at a relatively moderate pace, even while the stakeholders continue to fight each other, a major confidence-building measure can be a pledge to not kill civilians. This must be the target for Kabul, for the Americans as well as for the Taliban. Unless all stakeholders pledge to protect the lives of the Afghan people, and actively work towards the goal, their efforts to pursue peace will look hollow and appear to be little more than machinations to capture (or keep) power.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2019