The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Monday expressed grave concern about the impact on civilians from the increase in violence around the country during the first week of Ramadan
In a statement, UNAMA condemned the Taliban for incidents in which civilians had been deliberately targeted, such as the May 8 attack in Kabul against Counterpart International.
Six civilians were killed and 28 others were injured in the assault on the US-funded non-profit organization.
The attack was claimed by Taliban
“There can be absolutely no justification for deliberate or indiscriminate attacks against civilians,” said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN secretary-general’s special representative.
“The main victims of the attack were Afghans,” said Yamamoto, who is also the head of UNAMA. “It is particularly egregious that a premeditated act of extreme violence was conducted against a development agency where civilians were striving to improve the lives of all citizens.”
An earlier suicide attack by Taliban on the eve of Ramadan against the Afghan National Police headquarters in Pul-e-Khumri caused many civilian casualties, with women and children among the injured.
These two attacks in civilian-populated urban centers took place against a background of widespread reports of a recent intensification of the conflict in various regions of the country, as well as multiple claims that civilians are paying a heavy price.
UNAMA said it was looking into allegations of civilian casualties resulting from International Military Forces’ aerial operations in Farah and Nimroz provinces against reported drug-manufacturing facilities.
The locations are not easily accessible and there are numerous operational challenges to the verification of civilian status of persons allegedly harmed by these operations.
UNAMA said it would continue to conduct its Security Council-mandated monitoring and recording of harm to civilians, making its findings public as part of work to promote accountability and limit the impact of the war on civilians.
UNAMA reiterated its call for parties to halt fighting during Ramadan and uphold their obligations to protect civilians from harm.
The UN mission extended deep condolences to the families of victims and wished a speedy recovery to all those affected by recent violence.
