Afghan forces and their international military-backers have killed more civilians so far this year than the Taliban and other militants, a new United Nations report said.

Air strikes and night raids against militant hideouts killed hundreds of bystanders as US forces have ramped up operations under Donald Trump, as he seeks a way out of America's longest war.

Both sides in the long-running conflict are continuing to wage aggressive operations to strengthen their negotiating hand while pursuing a tentative peace process in Doha.

Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, said that Mr Trump wants to begin pulling out American forces from the country by next year.

The latest UN figures for civilian deaths during the war said at total of 717 civilians were killed in the first six months of 2019 by pro-government forces, including 403 killed by Afghan forces and another 314 by international forces. The figure is an increase of nearly a third since the first half of 2018.