US calls for permanent, comprehensive ceasefire

The US embassy in Kabul has urged the Taliban and all parties to the conflict to call a lasting and comprehensive ceasefire in Afghanistan.

“We call on the Taliban and all parties to immediately end the violence, agree to a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire,” tweeted the embassy.

The US called on Taliban to engage “fully in peace negotiations to end the suffering of the Afghan people and pave the way to an inclusive political settlement that benefits all Afghans and ensures that Afghanistan does not again serve as a safe haven for terrorists.”

This comes after a group of 15 diplomatic missions, including the EU, and the office of NATO’s civilian representative condemned the ongoing violence in Afghanistan and called for an urgent end to the Taliban’s ongoing military offensive.

The group of 15 countries, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, UK, and US said in a statement the ongoing violence thwarts efforts to arrive at a negotiated solution to the conflict and harms and displaces the civilian population.

“We condemn the continued targeted killings taking place throughout Afghanistan, the destruction of vital infrastructure, and threats, declarations, and other actions against the gains Afghans have made over the last twenty years,” the statement issued last week read.