The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan welcomed the report , saying it had taken `` a number of positive steps to reduce the number of civilian casualties in this country . '' NEW : The Taliban rejects the American report , saying it 's ` ` in favor of Americans '' The decline in deaths and injuries in the first half of this year follows a trend in 2012 . Last year 's decline was the first recorded since the U.N. started publishing the data . The U.N. says improvised explosive devices are the main factor behind the rise .
NEW : The Taliban rejects the American report , saying it 's ` ` in favor of Americans '' The decline in deaths and injuries in the first half of this year follows a trend in 2012 . Last year 's decline was the first recorded since the U.N. started publishing the data . The U.N. says improvised explosive devices are the main factor behind the rise .