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| Charity estimates number of child deaths during UK campaign in Afghanistan | |
| (about 16 hours later) | |
| The fatalities are said to be four times higher than previously thought | The fatalities are said to be four times higher than previously thought |
| At least 64 children lost their lives during British military operations in Afghanistan, the charity Action on Armed Violence (AAOV) reported on Tuesday, citing data obtained through freedom-of-information requests. | At least 64 children lost their lives during British military operations in Afghanistan, the charity Action on Armed Violence (AAOV) reported on Tuesday, citing data obtained through freedom-of-information requests. |
| This number is four times more than previously acknowledged by the UK Ministry of Defence. | This number is four times more than previously acknowledged by the UK Ministry of Defence. |
| The fatalities occurred between 2006 and 2014, when Britain was participating in the US-led fight against the Taliban, the group said. Previously, only 16 child deaths had been confirmed, whereas the actual number could be as high as 135, the AAOV added. | The fatalities occurred between 2006 and 2014, when Britain was participating in the US-led fight against the Taliban, the group said. Previously, only 16 child deaths had been confirmed, whereas the actual number could be as high as 135, the AAOV added. |
| In 27 cases where the age was stated, the average victim was six years old. The youngest was just a year old, while the oldest was 15. The cases include children killed in airstrikes and firefights, as well as shot near checkpoints. | In 27 cases where the age was stated, the average victim was six years old. The youngest was just a year old, while the oldest was 15. The cases include children killed in airstrikes and firefights, as well as shot near checkpoints. |
| “There is absolutely no evidence that there was a deliberate targeting of civilians or children by the British military, and these tragedies must be marked down as a consequence of poor targeting, over-use of heavy weaponry or fighting in populated areas,” the charity said, adding that the authorities did not provide enough details about the circumstances of each death. | “There is absolutely no evidence that there was a deliberate targeting of civilians or children by the British military, and these tragedies must be marked down as a consequence of poor targeting, over-use of heavy weaponry or fighting in populated areas,” the charity said, adding that the authorities did not provide enough details about the circumstances of each death. |
| According to the AAOV, the British government paid £144,593 ($165,390) in compensation for incidents that involved confirmed child deaths. “If we only include claims involving child fatalities, 36 deaths from 27 incidents, the average payout per victim is £1,656 ($1,891),” the charity said. | According to the AAOV, the British government paid £144,593 ($165,390) in compensation for incidents that involved confirmed child deaths. “If we only include claims involving child fatalities, 36 deaths from 27 incidents, the average payout per victim is £1,656 ($1,891),” the charity said. |