UN reports 55 percent rise in security-related incidents in Afghanistan

In his new report on Afghanistan, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said that between February 1 and May 13 of this year, 2,505 security incidents were recorded in Afghanistan, which shows a 55 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Guterres in the report to the UN Security Council, added that narcotics-related incidents increased from 212 to 418 during the period, and this is due to the enforcement of a ban on poppy cultivation.

Based on the report, the armed opposition attacked during this period but did not significantly challenge the IEA’s hold on territorial control. Daesh carried out six attacks between February 28 and May 15, four of which targeted the Islamic Emirate.

The United Nations has also stated that between February 1 and May 13, the organization recorded 13 robberies or thefts, 7 incidents of harassment and intimidation, 2 arrests, 1 case of explosion an improvised explosive device detonation and 8 other incidents

Attacks using improvised explosive devices caused at least 98 civilian casualties, it said.

The Ministry of Interior, however, rejects the United Nations report on security incidents.

“The security that has been provided in Afghanistan is nationwide and unprecedented, and we have not had any security incidents recently. It has been very limited,” said Abdul Matin Qani, the ministry’s spokesman.

Qani said that the United Nations may have included counter-narcotics operations or operations against kidnappers in security incidents.

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