“The U.N. attributed 80 percent of the civilian deaths to insurgents and others fighting against the Afghan government.”
Where’s the outrage about that? But Omar also manages to blame the victim, saying “civilians also need to keep themselves safe from attacks, such as staying away from U.S. troops on patrol.”
“Taliban chief asks militants not to harm civilians,” from the Associated Press, November 4:
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) “” Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar says his fighters need to protect Afghan civilians from harm so that the insurgency can maintain good relations with the population.
The death of civilians is on the rise in the 10-year-old war between the Taliban and Afghan and U.S.-led coalition forces.
The U.N. says the number of Afghan civilians killed rose 15 percent in the first half of this year.
The U.N. attributed 80 percent of the civilian deaths to insurgents and others fighting against the Afghan government.
Omar posted his message Friday on the Taliban’s website ahead of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of Sacrifice.
Omar says civilians also need to keep themselves safe from attacks, such as staying away from U.S. troops on patrol.