Afghan civilian deaths increase; more women, child victims

Afghan civilian deaths increase; more women, child victims - U.N | Reuters: 
Mounting casualties are reinforcing fears about Afghanistan's ability to tackle the insurgency on its own, after most foreign troops leave next year. The Afghan army faces one of the highest desertion rates in the world and a chronic lack of logistical and medical support.
Insurgents have stepped up attacks on security forces, particularly in areas where international bases have closed, the United Nations said. Both sides have caused the death of civilians.
As in previous years, bombs known as improvised explosive devices (IEDs), remained the single greatest killer, claiming 53 percent more victims than last year, most of them children.
Fighting between security forces and insurgents was the second most significant cause of civilian deaths, the United Nations said, putting the death toll in crossfire at 207.