UN Chief Says Afghanistan Spinning Out Of Control As Taliban Near Gates Of Kabul
UN 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.
¡°Negotiate in good faith¡±??
The UN chief called on the Taliban to immediately halt the offensive and ¡°negotiate in good faith¡± in the interest of Afghanistan and its people. ¡°The message from the international community to those on the warpath must be clear: seizing power through military force is a losing proposition. That can only lead to prolonged civil war or to the complete isolation of Afghanistan,¡± Guterres said.
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.
"Causing tremendous harm"
¡°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.
With hospitals 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 ¡ª 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.The UN chief said he hoped that discussions in Doha between representatives of Afghanistan and the Taliban will restore the pathway to a negotiated settlement to the conflict.
¡°Only an Afghan-led negotiated political settlement can ensure peace,¡± he said, adding that the United Nations is determined to contribute to such a settlement, promote the rights of all Afghans and provide life-saving humanitarian help to the ever-increasing numbers of civilians in need.¡°They all must do more to protect civilians. I remind all parties of their legal and moral obligation to take all measures to protect civilians,¡± Guterres said.
