The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Sunday night expressed its concerns over the increase in insecurity in southern Helmand province and the increase of civilian casualties.
 
In a statement it said the recent violence in Helmand has claimed the lives of at least 25 civilians and injured many more.
 
According to the statement, most of those killed and wounded are women and children.
 
“On 9 and 10 February, the international military forces conducted airstrikes in Helmand’s Sangin district reportedly targeting anti-government elements. UNAMA’s initial enquiries suggest that the airstrikes killed at least 18 civilians, nearly all women and children,” the statement read.
 
The statement also referred to the Taliban suicide attack on Afghan security forces outside Kabul Bank in Lashkargah city on Saturday in which at least seven civilians were killed and many others wounded.
 
The statement said that in 2016 Helmand people suffered a lot from the armed conflict. They stated that last year nearly 891 civilians were killed or injured in Helmand province, the highest number in the country, except Kabul.
 
UNAMA urged the warring parties to take all feasible measures to protect civilians.