Afghanistan War News Updates -- February 1, 2011

U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Martin Lindig and Afghan soldiers speak to village elders during a census patrol in the Sangin district of Helmand province, Afghanistan, Jan. 17, 2011. Lindig is assigned to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Dexter S. Saulisbury

Afghanistan: Civilian Deaths Hit 'Record Levels' -- BBC

The number of civilians killed in Afghanistan since the US-led invasion a decade ago hit record levels last year, according to a new report.

Some 2,421 civilians were killed, most at the hands of insurgents, the Kabul-based Afghanistan Rights Monitor said.

Foreign troops were to blame for about a fifth of all deaths - a slight fall on the previous year, the report says.

Correspondents say most officials are expecting at least the same level of violence, if not higher, this year.

Read more ....

More News On Afghanistan

2010 deadliest year for Afghan civilians: watchdog -- AFP
Afghan civilian deaths hit record in 2010 -- UPI
Afghanistan: Civilian deaths reached 'record' in 2010 -- ADNKronos

NATO service member killed in Afghanistan -- Washington Post/AP
NATO Soldier Killed In Afghanistan -- RTT News
Taliban 'abduct 21 Afghan tribal elders' -- AFP
Uncertain spring awaits violent Afghan south -- Reuters
Security Gains Should Hinder Insurgent Ability to Regroup in Spring -- Dvids
New Zealand Extends Term Of Special Force In Afghanistan -- RTT News
N. Zealand extends elite troops' Afghan mission -- AFP
Return to Helmand's 'bomb alley' with the US marines -- BBC
FACTBOX-Security developments in Afghanistan, Jan 31 -- Relief Web

Kabul Bank losses spark fears of huge Afghan corruption and financial crisis -- Daily Telegraph
Afghan Officials Probed Over Bank -- Wall Street Journal
Afghan Bank loan losses hit $903 million -- Canada.com/Daily Telegraph
Saving the Kabul Bank -- Time Magazine

Afghan Stoning Video Rekindles Outcry -- New York Times
Afghan asylum pact with Australia in chaos -- The Australian
Marines training helps Afghan police prosper -- Marines.mil
Afghan police provide increased security -- Marines.mil
Afghan drug war to be won with crops, not jails: judge -- AFP
Afghan opium poppy crop: Mixed results from drugs war -- BBC
Opium cultivation in Afghanistan to decline despite high prices – UN -- UN News Centre
Taliban Gun Lockers: The Rifles of Rural Ghazni Province -- New York Times
Afghanistan: Patience As A Weapon -- Strategy Page