Afghanistan civilian casualties up 22% in 2014

The number of civilian deaths and injuries in Afghanistan rose by 22% in 2014, the United Nations says.
A total of 3,699 Afghans killed and 6,849 injured made 2014 the deadliest year since the UN began keeping records in 2009.
For the first time more people were killed in battles between the Taliban and government forces than by roadside bombs, the figures show.
Suicide attacks accounted for 15% and assassinations by the Taliban for 11% of civilian casualties, according to the UN figures.
In December alone, the UN recorded over 500 civilian deaths as the Taliban, who were ousted from by a US-led coalition in 2001, launched a wave of attacks as foreign troops pulled out.
The UN figures also show the highest recorded losses for the Afghan army and police with nearly 5,000 killed in 2014.
An increase in civilian casualties due to intensified ground fighting between government forces and the Taliban was first flagged up when the UN published its figures for the first half of 2014 in July.
Since it began recording civilian casualties in 2009, the UN has recorded almost 18,000 deaths and almost 30,000 injuries.