The United Nations has called for an end to the attack, at a time when the Taliban have managed to seize a provincial capital for the first time.The international community has called for an end to the violence and for peace talks to begin.
UN Ambassador
Deborah Lyons, the UN ambassador to Afghanistan, has called on the Taliban to immediately stop attacks on the country's major cities.Lyons made the remarks during an open meeting of the UN Security Council on the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan via a video link from Kabul on Friday, August 6.
Earlier, the Taliban seized the capital of the southern province of Nimroz.This is the first time during the recent fighting that the Taliban have taken control of a province. "Nimroz got out of the fight without a fight," Roh Gul Khairzad, the province's deputy governor, confirmed to AFP.
What did the UN Ambassador say
Addressing the 15-member Security Council, Lyons said: "The Security Council must issue a very clear statement that attacks on major cities must stop now".
He added: "The war in Afghanistan has entered deadly and more destructive phase.
The diplomat also raised the question of whether the Taliban have the interests of ordinary citizens at heart.He said that a party, which was genuinely committed to resolving the issue through dialogue, would risk so many civilian casualties, because it would have to understand as much as possible.Blood will flow.The process of reconciliation will be just as difficult.
The Afghan government had called for a Security Council meeting in view of the deteriorating situation in the country.
US and Russian concerns
US Ambassador Jeffrey de Lavrentz also backed the call for an end to the attacks, saying a political solution would protect both the people and the infrastructure.He said that Taliban must listen to the international community to say that we will not accept a military occupation of Afghanistan.
Russia's ambassador to the United Nations also expressed concern over the current situation, saying it was getting worse."With the withdrawal of foreign forces, the situation looks dire," he said.Unfortunately, the prospect of the country slipping into a full and protracted civil war now seems a reality".
Taliban advance continues
Meanwhile, the Taliban have tightened their grip on most of the country's suburbs and for the first time, captured a provincial capital.The Taliban reportedly seized Zaranj, the capital of Nimroz province, bordering Iran, on Friday.
Zaranj is a major commercial city and is the first time in recent years that the Taliban have taken control of a provincial capital of Afghanistan.The Taliban are continuing their offensive to seize major cities such as Kunduz, Herat and Lashkar Gah.
US and NATO Forces
Fighting has escalated since US and NATO forces began a phased withdrawal in May this year.The evacuation is expected to be completed end this month.Despite the withdrawal, the United States has been providing air support to the Afghan government's military.
The Taliban have responded by saying they will now target senior government officials.The head of the government's media operation was killed in a Taliban attack on Friday.A few days ago, Afghanistan's acting defense minister was also targeted in an assassination attempt, in which he survived, but at least eight others were killed and 20 others were injured.
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