Kabul/United Nations : The UN has called for an immediate end to the fighting in urban areas of Afghanistan and said that civilians were bearing the brunt of the violence with fighting entering cities.
With the Taliban continuing its sweep of more territories, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in a series of tweets on Tuesday voiced concern over the deteriorating security situation.
“Deepening concern for Afghan civilians in #Lashkargah as fighting worsens. Latest reports show 118 civilians injured and 40 killed within last 24 hours as Taliban continue ground assault and Afghan Army attempts to repel. UN urges immediate end to fighting in urban areas.
“Civilians are bearing the brunt as fighting enters #Afghanistan’s cities. At least 10 civilians killed, 85 wounded in #Lashkargah and at least 5 killed, 42 wounded in #Kandahar in last 3 days alone. Thousands displaced. Likely many more. Population living in fear,” it said.
Afghan forces have been intensifying operations against the Taliban, which has launched a major nationwide offensive in the wake of the withdrawal of the US-led coalition troops over the past few months.
The Taliban militia are advancing on provincial capitals, after making gains in rural areas and smaller cities.
Speaking in New York, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists that they are deeply concerned about indiscriminate shooting and damage to health facilities and civilian homes.
“All parties must do more to protect civilians or the impact will be catastrophic.”
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, is continuing to provide emergency lifesaving assistance to families who have been newly displaced by the violence, Dujarric added, noting that nearly 360,000 Afghans have fled their homes this year due to conflict.
Isabelle Moussard Carlsen, chief of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), Afghanistan, said the situation in Afghanistan was alarming.
“Alarming situation for civilians in #Afghanistan trapped by increasing conflict. The humanitarian community calls on all parties to protect civilians and infrastructure such as schools, water plants, hospitals, and to uphold International Humanitarian Law,” she tweeted.
The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has deployed Mobile Health Teams to respond to affected communities, and provide quick relief in the form of health and psychosocial support to the most vulnerable.
On Tuesday, the UN Security Council, with India holding the rotating presidency for the month of August, expressed deep concern over the high levels of violence in Afghanistan following the Taliban offensive.
It also called for those responsible for last Friday’s deadly assault against the UN compound in Herat to be brought to justice.
The Council issued a statement condemning in the strongest terms the “deplorable attack” on the UNAMA compound in Herat , which killed an Afghan security forces guard and wounded several others.
“The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern about the high levels of violence in Afghanistan following the Taliban’s military offensive, and called for an immediate reduction of violence,” the statement said.
“They also expressed deep concern about the number of reported serious human rights abuses and violations in communities affected by the ongoing armed conflict across the country.”
The Council underlined that deliberate attacks targeting civilians, and UN personnel and compounds, may constitute war crimes.
UNI
