The United Nations said that an "unprecedented" number of civilians were killed or wounded in Afghanistan from July to September, calling the violence "totally unacceptable."
The UN said in a report on October 17 that the 1,174 deaths and 3,139 injured amount to a 42 percent increase over the same time period last year.
The report said "anti-government elements" such as the Taliban are mostly to blame for the spike.
In July alone more casualties were recorded than in any other month since the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) began documenting the violence in 2009, the report said.
The first six months of the year had seen casualties drop somewhat compared to previous years.
UNAMA recorded 8,239 civilian casualties in total in the first nine months of 2019 -- 2,563 killed and 5,676 wounded -- and 41 percent were women and children.
"Civilian casualties are totally unacceptable," especially given most parties recognize that there is no military solution in Afghanistan, said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN's special representative in Kabul.
"The impact of Afghanistan's conflict on civilians is appalling," said Fiona Frazer, UNAMA's human rights chief.
UN Decries Recent 'Unprecedented' Afghan Civilian Casualties
Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Tanker Seized By US Off Venezuela Was Part Of Iranian Shadow Fleet
2Romanian Village Evacuated After Russian Drone Strikes LPG Ship In Danube
3Brussels Adds New Names To Blacklist In Latest Russia Sanctions Package
44 Russian Soldiers Sentenced For Killing Of American Fighting For Moscow In Ukraine
5Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Hungarian Service Ceases Operations
6Polish PM Tusk Says Railway Explosion 'Act Of Sabotage'
7Tehran Pollution Hits 'Alarming' Level In Latest Environmental Crisis
8Three Chinese Nationals Killed In Afghan-Tajik Border Attack On Gold Mining Camp
9NATO Chief Rutte Tells RFE: 'Thoughtful Dialogue' Needed On Ukraine
10Romanian Mayor Says His Village Now 'Part Of The War' Amid Russian Drone Incursions
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.