The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has urged the warring sides in northern city of Kundoz to protect civilians and respect international law and humanitarian rights.
“I am deeply concerned about the situation in Kunduz following the Taliban’s attack on the city,” Nicholas Haysom, the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA said in a statement released on Wednesday. “The reports of extrajudicial executions, including of healthcare workers, abductions, denial of medical care and restrictions on movement out of the city are particularly disturbing.”
According to the statement, preliminary information indicates that more than 100 civilians have been killed and wounded and that up to 6,000 others fled the city due to fighting.
“The protection of civilians must remain at the core of any response to the current situation in Kunduz and Taliban and Afghan security forces must take all feasible actions to prevent civilian casualties,” Mark Bowden, the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan said in the statement. “Parties to the conflict must not use improvised explosive devices and indirect heavy weapons in populated areas of the city. Wounded persons must be allowed access to medical facilities for treatment and parties to the conflict must not restrict the work of humanitarian and medical personnel.”
Heavy clashes have been going on for the 3rd consecutive day between security forces and Taliban in Kundoz city and surrounding areas.
Afghan forces reportedly have support from NATO troops too with the US carrying out airstrikes.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/4233
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