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Case 11 “On Civilian Harm”: Suicide bombing

In August 2015, a series of suicide bombings took place in Kabul (Afghanistan), killing and maiming civilians in the explosions, but also causing a lot of long-term damage beyond casualties alone: Severe psychological trauma, disruption of livelihoods, and decreased access to basic needs are among some of the forms of harm that many civilians suffered and continue to experience. The chapter "Suicide bombing: Bringing fear and destruction to Kabul (Afghanistan, 2015)" makes a case for more attention to such reverberating effects. It illustrates that harm from suicide bombing is generally more long-term than news and popular discourse portrays.

In ‘On Civilian Harm’, we explore the ways in which civilians are negatively affected by violent conflict, offer tools and language to discuss the phenomenon, make practical recommendations for civilian harm mitigation and raise questions for further debate. The book contains in-depth analysises of 13 particular events in which harm to civilians occurred as a consequence of use of armed violence. Taken together, they contribute to an increased understanding of the variety and complexity of civilian harm at a conceptual level, bringing out common traits and patterns on civilian harm in violent conflict.

About this report

Date of publication:

Jun 10, 2021

Author:

Saba Azeem (PAX)

Publisher:

PAX Protection of Civilians

More about the book 'On Civilian Harm'
Case 11 “On Civilian Harm”: Suicide bombing

Jun 10, 2021, Saba Azeem (PAX)

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