UN Security Council calls for immediate cessation of violence in Afghanistan

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Tuesday called for an immediate end to fighting in urban areas in Afghanistan, as the Taliban continues a ground assault in the south of the country.

"The Mission said that the Taliban ground offensive and Afghan National Army airstrikes are causing the most harm, and added it is deeply concerned about indiscriminate shooting and damage to health facilities and civilian homes," said UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

"All parties must do more to protect civilians or the impact will be catastrophic, according to the UN Mission in Afghanistan."

Also on Tuesday, the UN Security Council called for those responsible for last Fridays deadly assault against the UN compound in Herat to be brought to justice.

The Council issued a statement condemning in the strongest terms the "deplorable attack", which killed an Afghan security forces guard and wounded several others.

"The members of the Security Council expressed their deep concern about the high levels of violence in Afghanistan following the Talibans military offensive, and called for an immediate reduction of violence," the statement said.

"They also expressed deep concern about the number of reported serious human rights abuses and violations in communities affected by the ongoing armed conflict across the country."

The Council underlined that deliberate attacks targeting civilians, and UN personnel and compounds, may constitute war crimes.