Violence increases in Afghanistan after US-Taliban deal
(VOVWORLD) - Violence has surged in Afghanistan in the weeks since the United States and the Taliban signed a deal that was supposed to pave the way for a permanent peace.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported Monday that more than 500 civilians were killed and over 700 injured as violence soared in March, the month when the Taliban and the Government of Afghanistan were supposed to start peace negotiations.
Although casualties increased in March, the total for the first quarter of 2020 was down 29% from a year earlier, thanks to a decrease in fighting in January and February, including a week-long partial truce, as the US and Taliban negotiated a withdrawal agreement.