Afghanistan: UN mission condemns alleged shelling by national army which killed 9 civilians

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan today condemned the recent killings of nine civilians when an explosive ordinance was fired into the village of Shahi Khil in Wardak on 4 December, allegedly by Afghan forces.

Initial reports indicate that the casualties, including four boys, killed from the impact of the shelling were fired by the Afghan National Army, according to a statement from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), adding that the shelling injured three other persons near a mosque in the village.

The UN mission expressed its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and a speedy recovery to the injured.

According to the statement, Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani assigned a delegation to investigate the attack prompting UNAMA to urge the Government to ensure an independent, impartial and transparent investigation and that those responsible be held accountable, and to provide appropriate compensation and support to victims and their families.

“UNAMA reiterates its call for all parties to the conflict, including pro-Government forces, to cease firing explosive weapons into civilian-populated areas and urges the Government to prioritize the development and approval of a national policy on civilian casualty mitigation backed by an action plan with concrete objectives to prevent civilian casualties in the conduct of hostilities,” the statement concluded.