Prepare Sanctions, UN Security Council Doesn't Recognize Taliban

JAKARTA - The United Nations Security Council is discussing a draft statement that would condemn Taliban attacks on cities and towns, causing heavy civilian casualties and threatening sanctions for violations and actions that jeopardize Afghanistan's peace and stability, diplomats said.

Citing Reuters Friday 13 August, the official statement, compiled by Estonia and Norway and seen by Reuters, must be approved by consensus by the 15 member bodies.

The text also emphatically reiterates that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is not recognized at the United Nations and states that it does not and will not support the establishment of any government in Afghanistan imposed through military force or the restoration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

The UN special envoy for Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, last week questioned the Taliban's commitment to a political settlement, telling the Security Council, it had entered a deadlier and more destructive phase.

"The Security Council condemns in the strongest possible terms the armed attacks by Taliban forces on cities and towns in Afghanistan, which resulted in a high number of civilian casualties," the draft statement read.

The draft text also underscores the readiness of the council, to impose additional measures on those responsible for violations or violations of human rights, or violations of international humanitarian law. This includes those involved in attacks targeting civilians, and individuals or entities that engage in, or provide support for, actions that threaten peace, stability or security.

Yesterday, the United Nations (UN) said it was deeply concerned about the shift in fighting in Afghanistan to urban areas, warning that if a Taliban attack reached the capital Kabul, it would have "disastrous repercussions for civilians."

The Taliban has stepped up its campaign to defeat the US-backed government since April, when foreign forces from the US-led coalition began withdrawing and are due to finish in September.

With Friday's progress, the Taliban now control about two-thirds of Afghanistan. Most recently, they are said to have captured Herat, the third largest city in Afghanistan, as well as Kandahar, their 'hometown'. This makes the Taliban already control 12 provincial capitals.

This success came as the United States and Britain prepared to send about 3,600 troops, to evacuate embassy staff as well as all civilians from both countries in Afghanistan.

The fall of major cities is a sign that Afghanistan is welcoming the Taliban, a spokesman for the group said, according to Al Jazeera TV. Previously, US intelligence predicted the Taliban could besiege Kabul within 30 days and capture the city within the next 90.