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July 26, 2021

Afghanistan Sees Record Number of Casualties in 2021; U.S. Could Continue Airstrikes Beyond August
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The U.N. said a record 2,400 Afghan civilians were killed or wounded in
May and June as fighting between government and Taliban forces
escalated. The number of casualties reported in the first half of this
year was nearly 50% higher than in 2020. The Afghan government just
imposed a nationwide curfew in an effort to curb Taliban advances.
Meanwhile, the top U.S. general in Afghanistan said the U.S. will likely
continue its airstrikes even after August 31, when U.S. and NATO forces
are expected to complete their withdrawal.