The Taliban: Killers of women and children

The United Nations reports on the rapidly rising Afghan casualty count:

Of the total number of casualties [over the first six months of 2010], 2,477 were attributed to anti-government elements (AGEs), representing 76 per cent of all casualties, up 53 per cent from 2009, while 386 were attributed to pro-government forces (PGF) activities, representing 12 per cent of all casualties, down from 30 per cent in 2009.

The number of children killed or injured has risen 55 per cent, along with 6 per cent more women, over the same period last year, the report found.

“Afghan children and women are increasingly bearing the brunt of this conflict. They are being killed and injured in their homes and communities in greater numbers than ever before,” said Mr. de Mistura.

The report also noted a 30 per cent drop in the number of casualties attributed to PGF during the reporting period, which it said is driven by a 64 per cent decline in deaths and injuries caused by aerial attacks.

The two main reasons for the rise:

First, anti-government elements used a greater number of larger and more sophisticated improvised explosive devices (IEDs) throughout the country. Secondly, the number of civilians assassinated and executed by AGEs rose by more than 95 per cent and included public executions of children.

The Taliban killing the defenseless predates the U.S. post-911 intervention in Afghanistan and continues today. Yet there are those who insist Afghans would sort things out for themselves if only the U.S. led International Security Assistance Force abandoned its mission. Nope, the religious freaks with guns would be straight back in charge.

Update: Imperial fantacist and self-proclaimed Taliban supporter Antony Loewenstein seeks to discredit a young Afghan woman whose nose and ears were chopped off by linking to an article saying there's no proof it was done by Afghanistan's former and would be rulers.