UN, EU and UK urge restraint, protection of civilians after strikes reportedly kill 36 and injure 163….reports Asian Lite News Desk
World leaders and international organisations have condemned Pakistan’s military airstrikes in Afghanistan’s eastern provinces of Paktia, Paktika and Kunar, urging both sides to exercise restraint and protect civilians after the attacks reportedly killed and injured dozens of people, including women and children.
The condemnation follows confirmation by Taliban Deputy Spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat that Pakistani airstrikes carried out on the night of June 28 killed 36 civilians and injured 163 others. He said three residential houses were completely destroyed in the strikes.
Expressing deep concern over the escalating violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an immediate end to hostilities and urged both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue.
“The Secretary-General reiterates his call on the parties to resolve their differences through diplomacy. We continue to call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and continue to stress that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said during a press briefing.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also confirmed that dozens of civilians, including women and children, were killed or injured in the strikes.
In a statement, UNAMA reiterated the need to respect the principles of precaution, distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law.
“We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured,” the mission said.
The European Union also called for immediate de-escalation, stressing that civilians must be protected and international humanitarian law must be upheld.
EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said on X that the bloc was deeply concerned by the civilian casualties caused by the airstrikes in Kunar, Paktia and Paktika provinces.
“The EU calls for full protection of civilians… International humanitarian law must be respected at all times. We call for immediate de-escalation and restraint,” he posted.
UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett also expressed concern over the civilian deaths, including those of women and children.
“Pakistan’s security concerns must be addressed in accordance with international law. I urge restraint, civilian protection and accountability,” Bennett said in a post on X.
The United Kingdom’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan, Richard Lindsay, condemned the continuing violence and called on all sides to adhere to international humanitarian law.
“Deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the continued, tragic loss of life. We condemn all forms of terrorism. We urge adherence to international humanitarian law and protection of civilians and reiterate calls to de-escalate,” he wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires in Kabul on Monday to lodge a strong protest over what it described as violations of Afghan airspace and the bombing of civilian homes in Kunar, Paktia and Paktika provinces.
In a statement, the ministry described the attacks as “a flagrant violation of international law, humanitarian law, and the sovereign integrity of states,” condemning them in the strongest terms.
The ministry further accused Pakistan of repeatedly blaming Afghanistan for its internal security challenges without credible evidence and attempting to divert attention from its own security and political failures.
It also criticised Islamabad’s continued reliance on military action, saying Pakistan had repeatedly pursued “the failed policy” of addressing security concerns through the use of force rather than dialogue.
