A slaughter in Afghanistan

Ten doctors, nurses, and technicians who were on a mission to deliver medical care to rural villages in Afghanistan were ambushed, lined up, and shot by the Taliban.

Deteriorating security in Afghanistan was highlighted last week by the murder of 10 aid workers, including six Americans, in northern Afghanistan. The 10 doctors, nurses, and technicians were on a mission to deliver dental and eye care to rural villages when they were ambushed by bearded men, and then lined up and shot, according to an Afghan member of the group whose life was spared. The Taliban claimed credit for the attack and accused the aid workers, from International Assistance Mission, of serving as American spies who were trying to spread Christianity. Afghan government authorities said the murderers may have actually been thieves, not Taliban.

A U.N. report released this week shows that Afghan civilian deaths have soared over the past year, due to increased attacks by the Taliban and other insurgents. Civilian casualties are up 30 percent overall, even though deaths caused by NATO and Afghan forces are down.

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