The Taliban continued to make progress on the ground in the battle with the Afghan government forces. The movement announced on Friday that it took control of the heartland of the western provinces of Afghanistan. At the same time, the United Nations Security Council held a meeting to warn of potential dangerous disasters in Afghanistan.
Speakers warned at the meeting that given the escalating operations and attacks in Afghanistan, the country will face the worst.
US Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Geoffrey DeLaurentis urged the Taliban to immediately stop the offensive and seek a comprehensive and sustainable political solution.
De Laurentiis stated that if the Taliban choose the path of military takeover, they will be isolated and shunned internationally.
DeLaurentis added, “The Taliban must listen to the opinions of the international community. We will not accept the military takeover of Afghanistan or the return of its Islamic emirate. If the Taliban choose this path, they will be isolated and shunned internationally. This will definitely push this country into more violence and destruction.”
He added: “We urge the Taliban to immediately stop the offensive, seek a comprehensive and sustainable political solution, and fulfill their obligations to protect Afghanistan’s infrastructure and people, especially women, girls and other vulnerable groups.”
Russian position
On the other hand, Russia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzia, stated that “the lack of progress in the negotiation process on Afghanistan has increased the possibility of the country falling into a full-scale and protracted civil war.”
Nebenzia added, “The goal is to start substantive negotiations, and Russia will continue to cooperate with both parties to achieve this goal.”
He emphasized, “It is clear that Afghanistan has no military solution, but under the current circumstances-given the lack of progress in the negotiation process-unfortunately, the prospect of Afghanistan falling into a full and protracted civil war is a grim reality.”
Nebenzia said, “The most important goal today is to quickly start substantive negotiations. Russia has done a lot to start the national reconciliation process and resume direct dialogue in Afghanistan, and we will continue to cooperate with both parties.”
Deborah Lyons, the special representative of the UN Secretary-General for Afghanistan, said during the meeting that the situation in Afghanistan “is going through a dangerous phase of transition” and called on the international community to “prevent Afghanistan from slipping into a serious disaster.”
Lyons added, “The situation in Afghanistan is very similar to Syria (referring to the war that has erupted since the confrontation between the Syrian regime and opponents demanding the overthrow of the regime in 2011) and Sarajevo (referring to the brutal war that broke out in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the beginning of 1990).”
The UN official stated that “the disaster in Afghanistan will have consequences that transcend national borders” and stated that “the bombing by the Taliban has caused the largest number of civilian deaths in the past period of time.” The official also accused the Taliban of “trying to control areas in Afghanistan by force. center.”
Lyons emphasized that the attacks on Kandahar since July 9 have caused 460 civilian deaths, and said that the attacks since the 28th of the same month have caused 104 civilian deaths and another 403 were injured.
The official added, “Assaults on Afghan cities must be stopped immediately. We are worried that the number of refugees and immigrants will increase exponentially, and that conflicts there will cause more victims to die.”
Government position
On the other hand, Afghanistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ghulam Kazizai, stated that the situation in the country has deteriorated severely due to the Taliban’s attacks and accused the Taliban of denying an agreement in the Doha negotiations.
The Afghan representative added during the meeting that the Taliban is currently launching an unprecedented attack in more than 30 years, and that the Taliban has become more violent and treated civilians in a more extremist manner.
The representative claimed that 10 border crossings fell into the hands of the Taliban, leading to a suspension of trade and rising prices, and accused the Taliban of fighting for power, which made Afghanistan a safe haven for terrorism.
Afghan officials urge Pakistan to help dismantle the Taliban’s shelters and supply lines, and establish joint monitoring and counter-terrorism mechanisms.
He believes that the Security Council must take action to prevent disaster in Afghanistan and force the Taliban to end violence in the country.
Taliban progress on the ground
Regarding the battlefield news, a police spokesperson in Nimruz province, which borders Iran and Pakistan, said that due to lack of government reinforcements, the capital city of Zaranj has been occupied by the Taliban.
A local source said that the Taliban controlled the mayor’s office, police headquarters and a camp near the Iranian border in Zaranj.
On the other hand, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced that the movement controlled Nimruz province, the first province fully controlled by the Taliban.
Mujahid stated in a tweet, “During the jihadist conquest, Nimruz became the first province controlled by the jihadists.”
Mujahid added: “Today, in Nimruz province, district officials, police chiefs, intelligence services and all affiliated agencies from mercenary enemies are exempted from responsibility.” He emphasized that these agencies are completely under the control of the Taliban. .
Assassination of senior officials
In Kabul, the US Chargé d’affaires in Afghanistan, Ross Wilson, tweeted that he was saddened by the assassination of Dawa Khan Menapal, who was responsible for the Afghan government’s interaction with local and foreign media. He added that Dawa Khan Menapar had provided correct information to all Afghans.
Commenting on the assassination of Menapar on Friday, the White House stated that the Taliban’s recent actions did not help gain international legitimacy.
On the other hand, the British Foreign Office stated that due to the deteriorating security situation, the British Foreign Office advised its nationals in Afghanistan to leave the country.
The British Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a post on the British government website that it recommends “not to go to Afghanistan and advises all British people there to leave the country immediately.”
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