Date: February 9 - April 8, 2015

Location: Sangin District, Helmand Province

Victims: 65 civilian casualties (16 deaths and 49 injured)

Perpetrators: Multiple parties involved in conflict

Incident Type: Military operation with civilian impact

Claimed Responsibility: Not applicable

Key Details:

First large-scale military operation independently led by Afghan national security forces since 2001

At least 50 civilian residences demolished or partially destroyed Casualties attributed to anti-government elements (48%), pro-government forces (37%), and crossfire (15%)

Most casualties caused by mortars and other heavy weapons

IEDs and asymmetric attacks also used Afghan National Army (ANA) initially claimed no civilian casualties

Narrative:

From February 9 to April 8, 2015, Afghan national security forces conducted Operation Zulfiqar in Helmand Province, focusing on Sangin District. This operation marked the first large-scale military action independently led by Afghan forces since 2001. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented 65 civilian casualties during this period, comprising 16 deaths and 49 injuries. Additionally, at least 50 occupied civilian residences were either demolished or partially destroyed. UNAMA's analysis attributed 48% of the casualties to anti-government elements (primarily the Taliban), 37% to pro-government forces, and 15% to crossfire. The majority of civilian casualties resulted from the use of mortars and other heavy weapons, although improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and asymmetric attacks were also employed. Despite the documented casualties, the Afghan National Army (ANA) initially claimed in early 2015 that they had not caused any civilian casualties during the operation.