US air raids dropped record 7,423 bombs in Afghanistan in 2019

Since United States President Donald Trump took office, US forces in Afghanistan have hit a record number of bombs in 2019, more than at any or time in last 10 years. According to a report released by US Air Forces Central Command on January 27, US has dropped 7,423 bombs on targets in Afghanistan in 2019 after releasing 7,362 munitions in 2018. se figures have showcased a dramatic increase in number of US-directed bomb blasts in Afghanistan in recent years when compared to 2009 when 4,147 bombs were dropped by former US President Barack Obama's administration. 

According to data released by United Nations, US has accounted for nearly half of total civilian deaths due to pro-government forces in Afghanistan only in first three quarters of 2019. However, insurgent groups and Taliban were also responsible for over a thousand civilian deaths. In synergy with increase in  number of US air raids in war-rocked country, Taliban has also reportedly ramped-up its attacks over last summer. 

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Furrmore, an Afghan news ncy reported that according to a United Nations Assistance Mission report, in just first nine months of 2019, organization has documented 2,563 civilians death along with 5,676 wounded people which is fairly similar to count of 2018.

However, in third quarter of this year, re was an unusual spike in civilian casualties with 1,174 deaths and injury of 3,139 which, according to UNAMA, is highest number of deaths since it started documentation in 2009. re was a 42 per cent increase from that of previous year. 

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US-Taliban in Afghanistan

surge in casualties and airstrikes came at same time as US and Taliban were conducting sustained peace talks. However, in September 2019 Washington had abruptly called-off talks after a suicide attack in Kabul killed an American soldier. It was only until vember when Trump made his first visit to Afghanistan did he declare that talks with Taliban have been reopened. 

While Taliban reportedly is pushing for an agreement that would remove US troops from Afghanistan, US demands ceasefire from rebel group before any agreement could be finished. However, multiple sources of international media suggest that Taliban had agreed to scale down attacks against American forces and Afghan government forces. 

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