The other day, nine children were killed in a mine explosion as they were on their way to school in Takhar province. The area is controlled by the Taliban, but after government forces began carrying out attacks to recapture the area, the Taliban have deployed treadmills. The children were between nine and twelve years.

According to Uppsala University's conflict database UCDP, 23,000 people were killed in Afghanistan between January and September this year. Most are Taliban and government forces, but many are civilians. If the war continues with the same intensity, 2019 may be the bloodiest in several decades. Last year, 26,000 were killed, which is the highest death rate documented between 1989-2018.

Why has violence in Afghanistan increased?

In recent years, the Taliban have gone on a renewed offensive against government forces. Taliban are attacking Afghan military and police. Government forces, with the support of the United States, go to counter-attack. During these battles and attacks, innocent civilians are often hit hard.

Today, the Taliban control about half of the country, especially the countryside. The government mainly controls the cities. But many Afghans fear that the Taliban may regain power in the country.

The fact that the Taliban moved their positions right now is because they have been waiting for the United States and other foreign troops. The US and President Trump want to withdraw from the war in Afghanistan and have been negotiating with the Taliban for a withdrawal for a year. In September, negotiations collapsed, but attempts at new talks were already made.

In addition, the terrorist organization IS has now established itself in Afghanistan. In August, an IS suicide bomber struck a wedding party in Kabul. 63 people were killed and over 180 injured.

In recent times, the number of civilian victims has risen sharply.

According to a new report from the UN Support Mission for Afghanistan, UNAMA, 8,239 civilians were killed or injured between January and September this year.

For July-September, there has been a 42 percent increase compared to the same period in 2018. In July, the highest level of civilian casualties was recorded since the UN began to carry statistics in 2009.

The civilian losses are unparalleled, according to the UN, which calls the violence "totally unacceptable".