Headquarters of the UN Mission in Kabul. UN welcomes ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan Peace and Security
The United Nations on Thursday called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to completely end armed clashes and ensure the protection of civilians.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) issued a statement welcoming Wednesday’s ceasefire after a week of violent border clashes and airstrikes in the Afghan capital Kabul.
Afghanistan has been under Taliban rule since 2021, and relations between the neighboring countries have deteriorated since then. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants carrying out attacks on its soil, a claim denied by the de facto authorities. civilians, including women and children, affected by the violence.
The highest death toll was recorded in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan, where heavy fighting took place on Wednesday between Taliban security forces and Pakistani by the military.
Although the UN Mission is still confirming the exact number of casualties, preliminary information indicates that at least 17 people were killed in the area and another 346 were injured.
At least one civilian death was also documented and the wounding of 15 people as a result of earlier cross-border clashes in Paktika, Paktia, Kunar and Helmand provinces.
“UNAMA calls on all parties to fully cease hostilities to protect civilians and prevent further casualties,” it said statement.
The parties were also reminded of their obligations to comply with the basic principles of target discrimination, proportionality and precaution to prevent civilian casualties, in accordance with international law.