> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.opendemocracy.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Afghanistan: the civilian toll - URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/sbriefs160407/ - Published: 2007-04-16T15:04:03.000Z - Updated: 2019-02-14T22:55:47.000Z - Author: terrorism.openDemocracy Terrorism.opendemocracy - Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 19:37 **Afghanistan: the civilian toll** A new Human Rights Watch report accuses the Taliban, Hezb-e-Islami and other armed groups in Afghanistan of [**war crimes**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/97455061-B4E8-482F-A26E-BE3E12B8F699.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) as they slaughter civilians through suicide bombings, car-bombings, kidnappings and shootings. The civilian death toll has risen dramatically in recent months. US troops killed and injured more than [**40 civilians**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/BBFA84CF-E3F2-4A1A-9D2C-338416737834.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) in an indiscriminate attack last month after their convoy was struck by a suicide attack. Military authorities have not decided yet whether they will place the soldiers before a court martial. The 15 April deadline imposed by Pakistani on unregistered Afghan refugees to repatriate to Afghanistan has passed, leaving hundreds of thousands of undocumented refugees in [**legal limbo**](http://english.ohmynews.com/articleview/article%5Fview.asp?article%5Fclass=3&no=356125&rel%5Fno=1&ref=opendemocracy.net). **Sadr pulls out of government** The political movement headed by Iraqi Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has withdrawn from the [**Iraqi government**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/281E4222-26FC-426D-BAC0-7279D406C62F.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net), vacating six cabinet positions. Though the move is unlikely to topple the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, it is bound to further unsettle the delicate balance of Iraqi politics. American military officials claim that they have new intelligence that suggests that Iran has supplied arms to [**both Shia and Sunni**](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/12/world/middleeast/12iraq.html?ex=1334030400&en=6d29763f8c242b74&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&ref=opendemocracy.net) militant groups in Iraq. **Energy politics** A [**gas pipeline**](http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/business/articles/eav041207.shtml?ref=opendemocracy.net) opened between Iran and Armenia on 19 March has begun to stir the interest of Georgia. Though a firm ally to the United States, Georgia will risk aggravating Washington if it can draw from the lucrative well of Iran's gas reserves. Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez is hosting an [**energy summit**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/16B18053-6552-4A47-85D5-E13E70501C06.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) of South American leaders in an effort to tighten regional opposition to the United States and to paper over growing rifts with Brazil over the use and production of ethanol. **Muslim nations call for Philippine peace** The Organisation of the Islamic Conference, an umbrella Muslim group, has called for Philippine soldiers and militants of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) to stop their [**three day battle**](http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/MAN237871.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) that has displaced thousands and killed dozens. Philippine planes have dropped 250-pound bombs on alleged MNLF positions on the southern island of [**Jolo**](#y=6049534&x=121001659&z=14&l=0&m=a&v=2) over the weekend. The Philippines has been in the grip of numerous insurgencies in its restive, largely Muslim south. Another rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front ([**MILF**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/13DB8CE7-87B0-47BF-BF89-A77C4DB712A6.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net)), has agreed a deal with UNICEF that will allow the vaccination of almost 30,000 children on the war-torn island of Mindanao. **Arab Israeli MK under attack** [**Azmi Bishara**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3E830433-B995-4522-9938-68AFB9A63A0B.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net), the most prominent Arab Israeli politician and a member of the Knesset, is being investigated by Israeli authorities for alleged criminal acts. Bishara has denounced the allegations against him as false and farcical. His outspoken anti-Zionism and occasional "solidarity" trips to "enemy" countries like Syria have drawn the ire of Israeli officials and public. Syria has denied engaging Israel in [**secret talks**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/7C23E0BE-760E-4BFF-9266-74A2EF1B7DB2.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net). **Somali talks delayed** A proposed peace and reconciliation conference in Somalia has been [**delayed**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/FD24AF0D-D8BF-4A92-A649-26B65F8BD72B.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) by continuing fighting between insurgents and Ethiopian and government troops. [**David Shinn**](http://www.madrid11.net/articles/somalia060307?ref=opendemocracy.net) writes of the Somali government's need to reconcile with its foes on terrorism.opendemocracy.net. **Moroccan slum raided after attacks on US consulate** Two Moroccan youths blew themselves up near the [**American consulate**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/D4AD5597-35EA-4A8F-AF8D-3DA4B024B906.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) in suburban Casablanca on Saturday. The assailants were brothers from the slum of [**Sidi Moumen**](#y=33579499&x=-7540526&z=16&l=0&m=a&v=2), which has now been raided by police. Another brother has been taken into police [**custody**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/DBBC8D7C-8520-4259-8731-252F13157362.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net). The more affluent parts of Casablanca are increasingly falling under the cross-hairs of militants. Last week's [**bombings**](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/11/world/middleeast/11cnd-algieria.html?ex=1333944000&en=0da35e0983d50203&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&ref=opendemocracy.net) in Algeria - that killed 23 people and attacked high-profile targets - have triggered fears across the Maghreb and in [**France**](http://www.monde-diplomatique.fr/carnet/2007-04-13-Attentats-a-Alger?ref=opendemocracy.net) of a growing terrorist threat. **Kurdish violence grows** Nearly 10,000 Turkish troops were involved in the fighting between government forces and [**Kurdish separatists**](http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L16571489.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) that has left at least ten dead in the restive southeast of the country. Iraqi Kurds have shrugged off Turkish [**threats**](http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/6AAAC594-A062-4AC1-BBC4-A14AB89640CB.htm?ref=opendemocracy.net) of intervention if they don't expel Turkish Kurdish fighters from their havens on the Iraqi side of the border.