Despite ISAF's considerable firepower, it is the taliban who've shown the greatest disregard for the lives of afghan civilians. No doubt ISAF has made mistakes and shall continue doing so.
However, it is clear by McChrystal's orders on Rules of Engagement that he recognizes the serious nature of the problem and has instituted measures to diminish the threat. Our forces have become very, very careful about the use of airstrikes, artillery, and helicopter attacks. This despite the protection it can afford to our men. We assume, therefore, greater risks to assure the protection of Afghan civilians.
UNAMA's latest report makes that clear. Those that died by the hands of ISAF decreased last year while those whom died by the taliban's hands INCREASED. The difference was nearly 3:1 and the data can be easily extracted from the report.
Worse, the taliban's use of IEDs as their primary weapon has needlessly endangered these civilians. So too the nature of those attacks-bombs planted on trails and roads routinely used by civilians.
It gets worse as NOTHING rationalizes suicide bombers who detonate their devices amidst civilians-even when legitimate military targets might be within proximity. It is not as though ISAF forces can't be easily found throughout Afghanistan nor that there aren't numerous instances where only they are present. Yet bombers will plunge themselves into the midst of their targets without regard for those innocents around them.
And worse again is the INTENTIONAL targeting of civilians. Yes, civilians as the primary target. Suicide bombers, IEDs, and rocket/mortar attacks have been committed with the express purpose of terrorizing the afghan civilian population. Both UNAMA and HRW (Human Rights Watch) have made this clear repeatedly.
Finally, the taliban have engaged in numerous targeted killings with any justifications.
All this in addition to documented instances of taliban using afghan civilians as HUMAN SHIELDS as well as numerous cases of acid and chemical attacks upon afghan school-girls.
2412 afghan civilians died last year. Over 1630 by the taliban's hand while only 596 by ISAF and that number continues to fall while those killed by the taliban increase.
Thanks.