Afghanistan: Ahead of a Security Council meeting on Afghanistan on Wednesday, the United Nations mission in the country today drew attention to the “critical need” for all parties to the conflict to do more to protect civilians.

Last week, 214 Afghan civilians were killed or wounded in 48 separate incidents in Afghanistan, with anti-government elements responsible for 98 per cent of these civilian casualties, according to UNAMA. Two suicide attacks alone – one in Khost and another by Qargha Lake – resulted in the deaths of at least 38 Afghan civilians, with 38 others wounded.