In Afghanistan, the number of civilians killed or injured in escalating violence has risen to record levels in the first half of this year, according to the United Nations report. <br />''<br />''A new report said, Afghanistan has recorded more than 1,600 civilian deaths so far in 2021. <br />''<br />''That's a 47 per cent rise compared to this time last year.<br />''And the UN has warned that the number of deaths could rise still further.<br />''<br />''Afghan Government forces have been fighting Taliban insurgents, who now control large parts of the country. Most international forces have now been withdrawn after a mission lasting nearly 20 years.<br />''<br />''Casualties in May and June rose to their highest for this period since the UN began recording the numbers in 2009.<br />''<br />''According to the UN report, anti-government forces were responsible for 64 per cent of civilian casualties. Pro-government forces accounted for 25 per cent and 11 per cent are blamed on crossfire. Of all casualties, 32 per cent were children.<br />'' <br />''Peace talks between the two sides are moving slowly. UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons urged both sides to take heed of the conflict's grim and chilling trajectory. <br />''<br />''The report provides a clear warning that unprecedented numbers of Afghan civilians will perish and be maimed this year if the increasing violence is not stemmed, she said in the UN release.<br />'' <br />''This year US President Joe Biden announced the withdrawal of US forces from the country by September.<br />''<br />''On Saturday, top US Commander Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said, their forces would continue carrying out air strikes in support of Afghan troops. He said, a Taliban victory was not inevitable.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Afghan officials imposed a month-long night curfew across most of the country on Saturday to try to halt a Taliban invasion of cities.</span><br />