Civilian deaths up 40% in Afghanistan in 2008

The UN reported that civilian deaths were up 40% in Afghanistan in 2008, to a record 2,118. The report said militants were responsible for 55 percent of the deaths, but that U.S., NATO and Afghan forces killed 829 civilians, or 39 percent. U.S., NATO and Afghan troops killed 31 percent more civilians in 2008 than in 2007, when the U.N. said those forces killed 629 civilians.