This was likely an 'active policy' to draw 'a military response to areas where there is a high likelihood that civilians will be killed or injured'.

In 40 monitored air-strikes carried out by the multinational forces, some 200 civilians lost their lives, making it their most lethal method of combat employed.

Night-time raids and other search and seizure operations by official Afghan and international forces included reports of 'excessive use of force' which allegedly resulted in civilian deaths.

While the international military forces have given a 'high priority' to minimising the war's impact on civilians, the UN said it was still concerned about the 'the level of transparency' and the willingness to share information with the mission.

The UN mission has published an analysis of civilian deaths in Afghanistan since 2007.