NEW YORK: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the Taliban to immediately halt the offensive and said that seizing power through military force is a “losing proposition” and can only lead to prolonged civil war and the complete isolation of the war-torn nation.
“Afghanistan is spinning out of control. Even for a country that has tragically known generations of conflict, Afghanistan is in the throes of yet another chaotic and desperate chapter, an incredible tragedy for its long-suffering people,” the UN chief said on Friday.
The Taliban has captured Herat and Kandahar, the country’s second and third largest cities. As the Taliban insurgents increasingly gain ground in Afghanistan, some accounts state that 60 per cent of the country’s territory is under their control. There is growing concern that Kabul too could fall into the hands of the Taliban soon.
The UN chief said directing attacks against civilians is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and amounts to a war crime, calling for perpetrators to be held accountable.
The UN chief added that he was “deeply disturbed” by early indications that the Taliban are imposing severe restrictions on human rights in the areas under their control, particularly targeting women and journalists. “It is particularly horrifying and heartbreaking to see reports of the hard-won rights of Afghan girls and women being ripped away from them.”
Guterres said that in the last month alone, more than 1,000 people have been killed or injured from indiscriminate attacks against civilians, notably in Helmand, Kandahar and Herat provinces.
“The fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security forces in urban environments is causing tremendous harm,” he said adding that at least 241,000 people have been forced to flee from their homes and humanitarian needs are growing by the hour.
overflowing, food and medical supplies dwindling, roads, bridges, schools, clinics and other critical infrastructure being destroyed, Guterres said every day, the conflict is taking an ever bigger toll on women and children.
“Continued urban conflict will mean continued carnage — with civilians paying the highest price,” he said calling on all parties to take heed of the conflict’s heavy toll and its devastating impact on civilians.(India Today)
