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Afghan Taliban rescind ban on Red Cross
KABUL, Sept 15, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – The Afghan Taliban rescinded a months-long
ban on the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC) working in areas
under their control Sunday and restored security guarantees for those working
for the organisation.
The militants and the ICRC “consented to following the old agreement on
top of new promises in humanitarian aid leading to the Islamic Emirate
granting ICRC permission of resuming their activities,” said Taliban
spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a statement.
Taliban fighters were instructed to “pave the way for ICRC activities and
be mindful of security to this committee’s workers and equipment,” it added.
In April the insurgents banned both the ICRC and World Health Organization
(WHO) from carrying out relief activities in areas under their control and
revoked security guarantees.
The Taliban did not mention the WHO in the announcement, which it said
came following talks with ICRC in Doha.
In August last year, the Taliban temporarily withdrew safety guarantees
for the ICRC, accusing the international group of failing to meet its mission
obligations to monitor detention conditions in Afghan jails and provide
medical aid to Taliban prisoners.
As fears of increased violence soar with presidential elections
approaching later this month, Afghan troops and Taliban insurgents have been
engaged in heavy exchanges across Afghanistan, with several militant-
controlled districts in the far north falling to government forces.
The Taliban continue to strike Afghan installations at will after the
militants issued their own vow to continue fighting after US President Donald
Trump abruptly cancelled negotiations that aimed to pave the way for an
American withdrawal from Afghanistan following 18 years of war.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1410 hrs