Iran warns of security deterioration in Afghanistan

KABUL (Agencies): Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh has condemned the recent attack against a UN convoy on the Kabul-Jalalabad highway in Afghanistan, warning about deteriorating security conditions in the country.

In a statement, Khatibzadeh also offered sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims of the attack. “Unfortunately, the escalation of violence in Afghanistan has reached a very dangerous level, and if the international community, regional countries, and all the forces responsible in Afghanistan fail to pay attention to this issue, it is feared that violence would grow in the country and the security conditions would further deteriorate,” Khatibzadeh said.

Five Afghan security force members who were escorting the UN’s vehicles were killed in the attack on the Kabul-Jalalabad highway in Surobi District of Kabul. Condemning the incident, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said that no UN personnel were hurt or vehicle effected in an attack which hit a DPS vehicle that was escorting a UN convoy.

Attacks on international forces and foreign players have been rare since the Taliban signed a troop withdrawal deal with Washington almost a year ago. However, violence against Afghans has escalated around the nation even as the Taliban and the Afghan government hold peace talks in Qatar.

Three back-to-back blasts in eastern Kunar province left three people dead and two injured, according to a police spokesman. At least two people were killed and five others injured in three separate blasts in eastern Nangarhar province, local officials said. Unknown gunmen shot and injured Qotbuddin Kohi, a journalist working for Pajhwok News agency in northern Faryab province, according to the media outlet`s director.

Almost daily deadly attacks with small, magnetic bombs attached to the undercarriages of vehicles, as well as roadside explosive devices and shootings, are unnerving Afghan officials, activists and journalists. Officials say that peace talks have largely stalled as the violence rises and US President Joe Biden`s administration reviews how to handle the peace process.