Violence in Afghanistan escalates since US-Taliban deal, UN says

KABUL: Violence in Afghanistan has escalated since the United States and the Taliban signed an agreement to pave the way for a peace process, the UN agency said.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said in its quarterly report that a total of 1,293 civilians were affected by the fighting in the first three months, with 760 injured and the rest killed. That includes 152 children and 60 women.

Prior to the February 29 agreement, locals in Afghanistan were relatively satisfied, but the dispute resumed as soon as the agreement was signed, while the militant group rejected several calls for a ceasefire during the holy month of Ramadan.

The UNAMA said in a statement that "the report reveals a disturbing increase in violence during March, while it was hoped that the Afghan government and the Taliban would begin peace talks and end the conflict at the same time." And prioritize efforts to protect all Afghans from the effects of the coronavirus.

According to the relief mission, the number of civilian casualties due to anti-government forces, especially the Taliban, is more than 20% higher than in the first quarter of 2019.

He said targeted killings, executions, and kidnappings of civilians were also on the rise.

It also said that despite this, the death toll in the first three months of this year was the lowest since 2012, during which time violence was reduced until the agreement was signed.

While the death toll rose in March, the UN agency noted that the total number in the first quarter of 2020 was 29 percent lower than a year earlier, leading to a drop in violence in January and February. It included a week-long partial ceasefire.

It should be noted that under the agreement between the US and the Taliban, the US and other foreign forces had pledged to leave Afghanistan by July 2021, in return for which the Taliban offered them several security guarantees and negotiated with the government. Said

However, fighting escalated in March after differences between the Afghan government and the Taliban over a number of issues prevented talks between the two.