The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has said that recent clashes in southern Helmand Province have forced thousands of civilians to flee their homes.

Voicing concerns over consequences of continuation of war, UNAMA said on its twitter: The violence unleashed in Helmand this week has forced thousands of Afghanistan civilians to leave their homes and initial reports suggest civilians have been killed & injured, including women and children.

It added: “Civilians are routinely killed or injured in armed clashes with high casualties resulting from indirect weapons: mortars, rockets, grenades. These civilians, including many children, must be protected from harm. The only way to do that is to stop the violence.”

UNAMA further added that these clashes undermine the crucial peace talks. “All sides must urgently reduce the violence and work towards a ceasefire, for the sake of the long-suffering people of Afghanistan,” it went on saying.

Earlier, local officials in Helmand said that 4500 families had been displaced due to clashes in Helmand.

In the meantime, Amnesty International, has warned of civilian catastrophe in Helmand in case the clashes are resumed.

“The situation for civilians in Lashkar Gah is grave and could deteriorate rapidly in the coming days. Tens of thousands of people are trapped in the middle of a bloody battle that shows no sign of abating,” said Omar Waraich, Head of South Asia at Amnesty International.

“To avoid this turning into a humanitarian disaster, both parties to the conflict must ensure that civilians are protected and allowed to safely leave the war zones and get out of the city,” it added.

Elsewhere, the United Kingdom has called on warring sides in Helmand to halt violence and ensure a ceasefire.

Earlier, the commander of international troops in Afghanistan said the increase in Taliban attacks on Helmand was contrary to the Doha agreement and announced that there had been several targeted attacks by international forces against the Taliban.

Currently, clashes are underway between Afghan security forces and the Taliban fighters in several districts of Helmand Province.

Arezo News