The United Nations on Monday voiced "serious concern" over the deaths of at least 10 Afghan children and a woman in an armed clash during a joint Afghan-NATO operation against the Taliban in eastern Kunar province.
"The Afghan National Security Forces and the international military forces should take all measures aimed at preventing harm to civilians during military operations, including those which involve the use of aerial force," the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in a statement.
"UNAMA urgently renews its call on all parties engaged in military operations to be mindful always of their obligations to protect civilians and to prevent civilian casualties," it added.
According to media reports, the children and the woman were killed during a United States air strike in the Shaigal Wa Shiltan district near the Pakistani border. Notably, a senior Taliban commander was killed in the air strike.
Currently, there are over 100,000 foreign troops from more than 48 countries in Afghanistan to contain the Taliban insurgency. The US remains the single biggest contributor to the ISAF, with 68,000 soldiers on the ground.
According to a UNAMA report published in February, the number of Afghan civilians killed or injured dropped by 12 percent in 2012. It was the first decrease since the UN began keeping track of such figures. Nevertheless, the report noted that attacks on women and children, and threats on perceived government supporters, are on the rise in the war-torn nation.
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December 19, 2025 15:10 ET U.S. inflation data and interest rate decisions by major central banks were the highlights of this busy week for economics news flow. Employment data and survey results on the housing markets also gained attention in the U.S. In Europe, the European Central Bank and Bank of England announced their policy decisions and macroeconomic projections.