UAE Press: Civilians bear brunt of Afghan violence

A series of bombings that took place in the Afghan capital Kabul resulting in a number of deaths and casualties indicates that measures against terrorism in the country need to be intensified, commented a UAE daily.

"Unfortunately, Kabul in recent months has become one of the deadliest places in the country for civilians," said the English language daily, The Gulf Today in an editorial on Wednesday.

The paper went on to say, "Security in the city has been ramped up since May 31 when a massive truck bomb ripped through the diplomatic quarter, killing some 150 people and wounding around 400 others, mostly civilians.

"Last week’s attack on the National Directorate of Security was claimed by Daesh, which has expanded its presence in Afghanistan since it first appeared in the region in 2015. It has scaled up its attacks in Kabul. The resurgent Taliban and increasingly Daesh are both stepping up their assaults on security installations and mosques and this is a matter of serious concern.

"On Friday, a suicide bomber drove an explosives-packed Humvee into a police compound in the southern province of Kandahar, killing at least six officers and destroying a building. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the pre-dawn ambush.

"As per the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the number of civilians killed in the war in Afghanistan reached a new high during the first six months of 2017. A total of 1,662 civilian deaths were reported between 1st January and 30th June, marking a two percent increase since last year’s record high.

"The United Nations envoy for Afghanistan, Tadamichi Yamamoto, has also rightly highlighted the need for the country to achieve a political settlement with the opposition, pointing to an upcoming February meeting between the parties as an opportunity not to be missed.

"The government is expected to present a strategic concept for reaching the settlement at the "Kabul Process" meeting to be held on 1st February, 2018. Peace should be given a chance and this is an opportunity that should not be missed.

"Negotiations are the best way forward. The long-suffering people of Afghanistan deserve peace and prosperity and the world community needs to help them achieve that," the Sharjah-based daily concluded.