Afghanistan is now at a dangerous turning point. That was the sobering message delivered to the United Nations Security Council by the head of the UN’s political mission to that country, explaining that the country had entered a new, deadlier and more destructive phase in the aftermath of US and NATO troop withdrawals.
Civilian deaths have escalated in recent weeks as the Taliban shifted its focus from rural enclaves to provincial cities as part of a nationwide offensive after US President Joe Biden’s announcement in April of a complete troop withdrawal from the country by September.
The Council was told the world faced two options in Afghanistan that a genuine peace negotiation between the Taliban and the Afghan Government or a brutal conflict combined with an acute humanitarian situation and multiplying human rights abuses.
Secretary General’s Special Representative to Afghanistan Deborah Lyons says, “Today we have an opportunity-an opportunity-to demonstrate the commitment of the UN Security Council and the international community that you represent to prevent Afghanistan from descending into a situation of catastrophe so serious that it would have few, if any, parallels this century. And let me assure you, such a catastrophe would have consequences far beyond the borders of Afghanistan. I do believe that the Security Council and the international community more broadly can help prevent the most dire scenarios. But it will require acting in unity and acting quickly.”
In recent weeks, attacks have been concentrated on heavily populated cities in the east and south-central regions of the country with dozens of casualties and rising – in the face of an Afghan Defence Force that is already stretched thin as the head of the UN’s Assistance Mission in Afghanistan explained.
“In the past weeks, the war in Afghanistan has entered a new, deadlier, and more destructive phase. The Taliban campaign during June and July to capture rural areas has achieved significant territorial gains. From this strengthened position they have begun to attack large cities. The provincial capitals of Kandahar, Herat, and Lashkar Gah, in particular, have come under significant pressure. Initial reporting suggests that earlier today, the Taliban have captured the capital of Nimroz province. Intense fighting also took place in northern Afghanistan around the Shebergan city. This is a clear attempt by the Taliban to seize urban centers with the force of arms. ”
Afghanistan’s Ambassador Ghulam Isaczai told the Council the Taliban was supported by a network of militant and terrorist organisations – akin to an invasion of his country.
“Our cities and public infrastructure that we have rebuilt with your support over the past two decades are not exposed to an unimaginable level of Taliban destruction. In this deliberate act of barbarism, the Taliban are not alone and are assisted by foreign fighters from transnational terrorist networks. Together they are threatening our peace, security and stability, not only in Afghanistan but also in our region and beyond. It is our collective responsibility to stop them from destroying Afghanistan and threatening the world community.”
While the signs of the Taliban of old are fast reemerging in places where they have re-established control – as Deborah Lyons told the Council.
“It is heartbreaking to hear, for example, reports of summary executions, beatings and clampdown on media. Radio stations in particular have stopped broadcasting. We also hear the fears voiced to UNAMA by many Afghan women. They tell us that they fear they will be killed if the Taliban return to power simply because they worked for the government or an NGO. They fear they will not be able to access medical or education services. They tell us they fear their daughters will be forced into marriage with Taliban fighters. These are the real concerns of people who are close to the edges of the Taliban advance.”
A US Taliban deal signed in February 2020 has failed to deliver a reduction in violence – while hopes are fast fading that stuttering peace talks in Doha, Qatar, which are expected to continue next week, would breach the widening political and security divide in the country.
