The United Nations said that an "unprecedented" number of civilians were killed or wounded in Afghanistan from July to September, calling the violence "totally unacceptable."
The UN said in a report on October 17 that the 1,174 deaths and 3,139 injured amount to a 42 percent increase over the same time period last year.
The report said "anti-government elements" such as the Taliban are mostly to blame for the spike.
In July alone more casualties were recorded than in any other month since the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) began documenting the violence in 2009, the report said.
The first six months of the year had seen casualties drop somewhat compared to previous years.
UNAMA recorded 8,239 civilian casualties in total in the first nine months of 2019 -- 2,563 killed and 5,676 wounded -- and 41 percent were women and children.
"Civilian casualties are totally unacceptable," especially given most parties recognize that there is no military solution in Afghanistan, said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN's special representative in Kabul.
"The impact of Afghanistan's conflict on civilians is appalling," said Fiona Frazer, UNAMA's human rights chief.
UN Decries Recent 'Unprecedented' Afghan Civilian Casualties
Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Why Does Trump Want Afghanistan's Bagram Air Base Returned To US Control?
2Trump Threatens Afghanistan If Bagram Base Not Handed Back To US
3Taliban's Internet Ban Threatens Afghan Women's Livelihoods And Education
4Afghan Woman Who Lost All Male Relatives In Earthquake Faces New Barriers
5Afghan Taliban Claims Prisoner Exchange With US Is Imminent
6Afghanistan In Massive Internet Shutdown Amid Taliban 'Morality' Crackdown
7Communications Restored In Afghanistan After 2-Day Blackout
8Trump Says US Is Seeking To 'Get Back' Bagram Base Amid Taliban Rule
9Afghan Children In Pakistan Fear Taliban Schools If Forced Home
10This Afghan Teen Is The Sole Survivor From His Family After Deadly Earthquake
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.