Afghanistan

In 2009, the Commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance issued a Tactical Directive in order to reduce civilian casualties in operations in Afghanistan. This was notably seen as an operational issue since loss of popular support was deemed decisive in the struggle. This resulted in both significant security gains and reduced civilian casualties. In 2016, two former high-level military officials were advocating for the same measures to be taken in current conflicts.

Implemented in 2008, the Civilian Casualty Tracking Cell (CCTC) was created within the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan to collect data on civilian casualties. This mechanism resulted in the issuance of new tactical directives and guidelines by ISAF and NATO in an effort to mitigate civilian casualties. As a result, civilian casualty rates caused by pro-government forces significantly dropped in the following year.