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Researchers were surprised, according to this article by Alisa Tang for Associated Press, that "most anger over civilian deaths was focused on the militants rather than Western forces." Tragic errors by Western forces do get more press coverage partly because we in the West clearly do hold ourselves to a higher standard with respect to protecting noncombatants, and this article only provides further evidence of that.
That being said, however, the coverage is also heavily skewed by bias in the media and advocacy groups with various axes to grind, and will undoubtedly continue that way.
KABUL, Afghanistan - The Taliban and other militant groups are committing war crimes by targeting Afghan civilians, killing nearly 700 last year, according to a report issued Monday by Human Rights Watch that also pointed to dramatically escalating violence since 2005.
The death toll caused by the Islamic groups is more than three times the civilian deaths attributed to U.S. and NATO forces, which have been criticized for excessive use of force in civilian areas.
In the latest suicide attack against the Western-backed government, a bomber in the relatively stable north struck a crowd of police on Monday, killing 10 and wounding 32.
The New York-based rights group said the number of suicide attacks spiked to 136 last year from 21 the previous year as the Taliban turned to increasingly indiscriminate, Afghanistan since 2001," the report said.
"The insurgents are increasingly committing war crimes, often by directly targeting civilians," said Joanne Mariner, the group's director on terrorism and counterterrorism.
Even when targeting government or Western security forces, "they generally kill many, many more civilians than they do military personnel," she said.
In all, more than 4,000 people died in the Afghan violence last year, according to figures compiled by The Associated Press from Afghan and Western officials. Most were militants killed by U.S.-led coalition and NATO forces,
The rise in violence has shaken the elected government of President Hamid Karzai. Five years after the hardline Taliban regime was ousted for hosting al-Qaida, fears are rising that Afghanistan is again sinking into an enduring conflict.
NATO and U.S. use of airstrikes and heavy weapons to fight the resurgent Islamic militia also exacted a heavy toll on civilians in 2006, killing at least 230 civilians, the report said.
But researchers discovered in their interviews with witnesses, victims and relatives that most anger over civilian deaths was focused on the militants rather than Western forces.
"I lost my son, brother and nephew because of the Taliban. They say that they are fighting for God and Islam, but they are not; they are killing good and innocent Muslims and Afghans who have done nothing wrong," a man identified by the pseudonym Abdullah was quoted as saying in the report. His shop was destroyed by a suicide car bomb last August in the south.
Human Rights Watch said it hoped the report could shame the increasingly radical Taliban into altering its tactics.
Don't bet on it.
"We don't think that change is easy, but they're not entirely impervious to pressure," Mariner said.
Michael Shaikh, who conducted research for the report, said today's Taliban is increasingly brutal, even compared to the regime that hosted Osama bin Laden and was known for its strict Islamic law and punishments.
"The Taliban are starting to look like some of the insurgent groups in Iraq," Shaikh said. "It's a much more dangerous Taliban — a much more vicious Taliban."
[...]
The Militants increasingly target aid workers, journalists and government employees, condemning them as spies or collaborators, according to the report.
[...]
A spokesman for the Taliban was not immediately available Monday to comment on the report.
Maj. Chris Belcher, a spokesman for the U.S.-led coalition, said the findings of Human Rights Watch were consistent with what the military was seeing.
While the report also was critical of the coalition, Belcher said the coalition by contrast strives "to avoid civilian casualties, and hold to account those within our forces who violate the laws of armed conflict."
Posted by Marisol at April 17, 2007 9:02 PM
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If one implements chaos, then one can Taliban order it as the government falls.
It is communist logical military doctrine melded with Muslim sect dogma that "My Islam is good and your Islam is infidel and allah can sort em all out".
If you want to see Islamophobia, just tune into al Qaeda broadcasts and you will soon find out what hate is about.
The Islamists who post and lurk here enjoy laying down their "way the world should be". The reality is everyone of them is a target and the Taliban and al Qaeda would murder them as infidels.
I will bet this lefto wacko group though conducting this study is probably devistated Islam is murderous and the Americans are actually telling the truth and Teddy Abu Gharib Kennedy was wrong.....gasp.
Posted by: Lame Cherry![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.jihadwatch.org/nav-commenters.gif)
at April 17, 2007 9:29 PM
Bush is still making progress in Afganistan.
Stay stuned for more "Liberation".
at April 17, 2007 9:34 PM
Human Rights Watch said it hoped the report could shame the increasingly radical Taliban into altering its tactics.From the dept of 'Stuff you just can't make up'. You think they ought to randomly drug test all HRW employees every month? After all, they're demanding it in pro sports, and professional sportsmen don't have (nor aspire to have) the type of effect on the lives of human beings the way these polypragmonists do.
Those clowns, er experts should have lived in Mecca in the 620's and 630's. Mohammed could have used their reports while putting together the Quran.
Posted by: Infidel Pride at April 17, 2007 9:47 PM
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6564629.stm
[-]
Armed members of a Nigerian Islamist group known as the Taleban have stormed a police station in the northern city of Kano, killing at least 13 people.
A police source told the BBC there were between 300 and 500 people, some of whom were heavily armed.
The army has been sent in and police have evacuated the area.
The violence comes ahead of Saturday's presidential elections and follows the shooting dead of prominent Islamic cleric Ustaz Ja'afar Adam last Friday.
[-]
A small army.
Posted by: Borg at April 17, 2007 10:03 PM
I guess this is yet one more for the 'No Sh*t, Sherlock Files'.
Unfortunately, I don't hold much hope that the Leftists will actually absorb what they are saying.
L.Drummond.
Posted by: L.Drummond at April 17, 2007 10:12 PM
KABUL, Afghanistan - The Taliban and other militant groups are committing war crimes by targeting Afghan civilians, killing nearly 700 last year, according to a report issued Monday by Human Rights Watch that also pointed to dramatically escalating violence since 2005.
The death toll caused by the Islamic groups is more than three times the civilian deaths attributed to U.S. and NATO forces, which have been criticized for excessive use of force in civilian areas.
Nooo.. what a *surprise*. What's next.. HRW will actuallyu report on toddlers being made to wear bomb belts?
This continues it could lead to some seriously objective "reporting".
Holding breath.. nah.. swigging a Heineken..
Posted by: Allahfanculo at April 17, 2007 10:12 PM
This would NOT be happening as I mentioned before if Ahmed Shah Massoud were alive! This would be over! Then we lost their trust. There is so much at fault here. This is very sad to read. Guess I'll never be an intellect- dictionary says without emotion. Smart-but without emotion! How so Massoud has made me come to understand the Afghan people. It drove me crazy when we went in after 9-11! I mean the way we did. At that time I was for going to Iraq too! Every time we do something they run to Iran and hide or Pakistan. Like cockroaches!
I do believe this is coming from Iran to keep us tied on both sides. It is amazing as I have said all these years and Afghanistan is about to ---umm, Kabul, right where Massoud held it down by himself for 20 years! Amazing! If the U.S. had listened! I do not blame Bush! I blame Clinton!!!
It probably does go back but Clinton!,, what a prize! Ok, Clinton uh huh,,, if you couldn't get him, why didn't you alert us what we were heading into and not alert Mr. Bush?
As I stated before on FOX NEWS as the second plane came they said, "it's bin-laden!" I got a reply at least! My point was, if they knew why didn't they call Bush!? I want to KNOW WHAT THEY DID and WHEN DID THEY KNEW IT? Even when Berger stole those documents I knew THEY WERE MUCH ABOUT SOMETHING!
Our so "Allies" say they can't help in Iraq! So why don't they help here in Afghaistan? ALOT alot more!? Poppie fields come into mind! There is just so much wrong over there. Hamid Karzai God Bless him, is a very good man! So is Abdullah Massoud's best advisor! Pakistan, always been a problem. Musareff in between Iraq and a hard place!
I know there are more intellect answers but that is my view. Robert Spencer book is really good! We also need to understand our own religion!
The talibans al-gaeda all using their "religion".
I still believe this does all come down to the Palestinians. Iran! Religion! They will never be the choosen people! Their intepretation about Abraham is so twisted and out of it came death, more death! When in fact in the true Hebrew alphabet retranslated it meant Life a New Life! Life restored! Mo and Inc. are using it to enslave womand, kill, totaly corrupt a beautiful childs mind! I believe it may get alot worse! I love America and I believe in our troops and I love the Red White and Blue! Under God!
at April 17, 2007 10:16 PM
Is this really a new thing though? What sad bunch of low life's...
http://www.americanlegends.blogspot.com/
Posted by: J. Mark English at April 17, 2007 11:19 PM
"No Taliban spokesman was available for comment."
No comment.
Posted by: profitsbeard at April 17, 2007 11:20 PM
Careful there you are about to step over the threshhold to a revelation.
Whoa look out you almost stepped into a pile of hot steamy reality.
Ugggh look out that cold hard fact ALMOST hit you square in the head.
Take out all the "Could possiblies" all the "almosts" and all the "just mays" and you will have a truthful report.
CAUTION: the truh was almost found in this report,who is responsible for this error? Heads will roll.
More white wash,hurry up with the white wash you idiots this almost states the obvious.
Hey maybe before we get to publish this report the U.S. will "accidentaly" kill more innocent civilians,at least maybe one more than the taliban,then we would have a really juicy report.
The taliban (add any islamic group in this category) kill helpless and innocent unarmed civilians.They cut off thier limbs,they cut off thier heads,they rape any woman within reach,they send thier kids to commit suicidal murder,I know lets make a report stating thier crimes.That will embarras them into changing thier tactics.
End saracasm
The Human rights Org. is a crime against humanity.Put them on the same sinking ship as the U.N. in the deepest part of the sea.
The human rights groups are just like politicians all they see are numbers.The number of people killed is how harsh thier statements are.Statements are not worth didly.
One wonders how they would feel if we were to adjust response to the numbers of these "watchers" these "numbers" were to start being subtracted from the planet?
Who desires to be number one victim raise your hand?
Posted by: Dar al-harb at April 18, 2007 12:01 AM
I bet the group will be even more shocked when they discover how critical the Pakis's role is in keeping the Taliban afloat.
And this is why it gets so revolting hearing about how the U.S. and Israel are the ones primarily responsible for targeting civilians in wars in the muslim world. The same for India, Russia, Serbia, Thailand, the Phillipines, the Ivory Coast, especially now with Saudi incluence being what it is, and pretty much anywhere else. How many Westeners, U.N. members, so-called "scholars" from the infidel world and "human rights" groups of all kinds still actually haven't figured out the Islamist way of fighting. Assault civilians in their jurisdiction, make it look like the non-muslim opponent did it, assault non-muslim civlians to get them enraged, then put up civilians as a safeguard when retaliation comes. It's a simple form of cowardice, I mean really.
Posted by: maxwell46&2 at April 18, 2007 1:50 AM
I thought it was obvouis the civilivnas vent their anger at family and friends being killed at the westerners for two reasons:
1) they are scared of the taliban so couldn't criticise them
2) they are scared of the taliban so want to be seen to hate the west
now where is my government funding for research???
Posted by: exposesithlords at April 18, 2007 4:48 AM
"But researchers discovered in their interviews with witnesses, victims and relatives that most anger over civilian deaths was focused on the militants rather than Western forces."
.......well, DUH, after all, the Muslims are killing the Muslims with reckless abandon....
.......it seems the witnesses, victims and relatives of victims can identify the real killers better the the leftists and the dhimmicrats (who believe the war on terror is unneccessary and just wrong and Islam is a "religion" of peace).....
at April 18, 2007 6:05 AM
After all those wonderful comments... I can't say much except the following: I am all astonishment! HRW has got to be biggest joke after the UN...do they seriously think that talking about the Taliban's crimes they will change? .... okay I have picked myself up off the floor and dusted myself off... the answer is NO.
Posted by: TeamNfdL at April 18, 2007 6:46 PM
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/016101.php
Researchers were surprised, according to this article by Alisa Tang for Associated Press, that "most anger over civilian deaths
Yea the beheading on IT tv over the Easter break did have an affect and of course the mulsums cutting off the heads of 3 Christians who were just printing books did have a huge effect funny how that works???
Of course those in Europe are talking about the ismail factor after all didn't mo-ham-od say he was a descendant??
Funny how all that stuff works
funny how the MSM gets how they are creating copy cats but the video by the islamic terrorist they show over and over with glee now does this mean they [MSM] aids and abets the enemy??
In my book it does where is the outrage?
Part of the American Tribe
Squirrel Hunter
Spider Killer
GOD BLESS THE USA AND HER FIGHTING FORCES AN ALL WHO FIGHT WITH HER GIVE THEM STRENGTH, WISDOM, SIGHT, AND COURAGE TO DESTROY ALL ISLAMIC TERRORIST AND ALL WHO SUPPORT THEM AMEN
at April 20, 2007 5:12 PM
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