Taliban Killed, Maimed Thousands of Afghans in 2019 Amid Talks

Taliban killed or maimed thousands of Afghan civilians in 2019, against the backdrop of the ongoing peace talks aimed at ending the 18 year conflict in the war-torn country.

The insurgent group was responsible for 71% of the 7,955 killed and 2,817 wounded last year, according to a report by Afghanistan's Human Rights Commission released on Tuesday. The Afghan and U.S.-led forces were responsible for 14% of the casualties, it said.

The U.S. and Taliban negotiators are holding talks in Qatar to end the conflict that will allow President Donald Trumpto withdraw troops from Afghanistan and possibly end the widespread violence. The insurgents control or contest half of the country, more territory than any time since they were toppled in 2001.