Action on Armed Violence’s data was cited on the 4th October in an article in The Economist about the consequences of the accidental bombing of a hospital in Afghanistan. The accidental American air strike on a hospital run by Médécins Sans Frontières (MSF) killed at least 19 people.
While this tragedy was deep and profound, the article highlighted the fact that it was a tragedy that runs counter to the general trend that NATO has – by adopting better rules of engagement – managed to reduce the impact of explosive weapons on civilians.
As the article stated: ‘Between 2008 and 2014, according to a report by Action on Armed Violence, a pressure group, civilian deaths resulting from NATO air strikes were reduced by 81% because of new, more careful policies.’
Our research on the impact of careful policies by NATO can be read here.
The Economist article can be read here.
We strongly support the need for extreme caution in the use of any explosive weapons in populated areas and call for a thorough investigation into this avoidable tragedy.
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