ICRC deplores Afghan civilian casualties

Published: July 10, 2008 at 6:29 AM

KABUL, Afghanistan, July 10 (UPI) -- Deploring the growing violence in Afghanistan, the Red Cross says at least 250 civilians have died or been injured since last Friday in various attacks.

"Civilians continue to be killed and wounded in the ongoing hostilities. We call on all parties to the conflict, in the conduct of their military operations, to distinguish at all times between civilians and fighters and to take constant care to spare civilians," said Franz Rauchenstein, the agency's head in Afghanistan.

In the latest such incident, an attack Monday near the Indian Embassy in Kabul killed 41 people.

In an appeal, the International Committee of the Red Cross said whatever the means and methods of warfare chosen by those involved in the conflict, "they must take all necessary precautions to verify that targets are indeed military objectives and that attacks will not cause excessive civilian casualties and damage."

Separately, the BBC quoted NATO figures that more than 900 people, including civilians, have died in Afghanistan since the start of this year.

The report quoted the Taliban as saying it wasn't involved in the Indian Embassy attack.

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
FDA considers new flu vaccine process (29 min)
Dell enters Chinese smartphone market
UPI NewsTrack Business
New terms reached in Google book suit
4 jailed in online bank customer scam
Climate change killing sea turtles
Shrimpers, processors do battle
fark
Another day another student/teacher sex story. With hottie female teacher picture goodness
Career-limiting move of the day: While forwarding himself a copy of a "White Pride" email he wants...
You think you've got a tough job? Imagine being the veterinarian who has to help an elephant lose...
Art caskets: Because nothing symbolizes death with dignity more than being laid out in a "Return...
Cardboard cut-outs of police placed in stores to scare would-be thieves. Drunk decides to take one...
"I saw UFO beam up a buffalo"