The Taliban on Wednesday denies targeting and killing civilians during the attack on Afghan government forces, calling for an independent investigation and trying to convince the Afghans that “no house or family will face threats from our side.” The Islamic militants issued a statement after the United Nations said more than 1,000 civilians were killed in the past month and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that since August 1, 4,042 injured people were treated in 15 health facilities.
Taliban fighters have increased their campaign to defeat US-backed government since April when foreign forces began to retreat after 20 years of war.
The group has confiscated eight provincial capitals in the past week, raising worries will return to the power of hardline groups.
Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen, said in a statement that the group “has not targeted civilians or their homes in any area, but surgery has been carried out with precision and be careful.” He instead blamed Afghan government forces and foreign troops for every civil death.
The United States boasts the rejection of the Taliban about responsibility.
“There are, wherever you see, demanding data points, evidence, image of violence, bloodshed, the potential of the atrocities made by the Taliban,” US State Department spokesman told reporters.
“We have seen it with our own eyes, from several recordings that appear.” The Taliban proposed that a team consisting of the United Nations, ICRC and other aid groups accompany their representatives “to conduct an inept and independent investigation into the latest events.” A spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and Afghanistan for the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comments.
Since the beginning of nearly 390,000 people have just been transferred by Afghan conflict with a “big surge” since May, UN spokesman Stephane Dujric told reporters on Wednesday.
“Between July 1 and August 5, 2021, the Humanitarian Community verified that 5,800 were internally displaced and arrived in Kabul,” Dujric said.
Foreign troops aim to fully exit Afghanistan on September 11.
The US-backed Afghan forces overthrew the Taliban from power in 2001 because they refused to hand over Osama bin Laden Al Qaeda, after the United States attack.