Editorial: Tragedy of war insufferable

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A shift in policy of Taliban group with more softness that appeared in the group’s recent statement of halting bombings, has generated hope toward ending the war. After three days ceasefire, now they declared not to target civilian areas, something absolute in contrary to what they have done in the past 17 years. It’s a fact that civilians have been bearing the brunt of ongoing conflict and that in highest extend because their fatalities have been reported unprecedented in the past several years. Latest figures released by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) show continuing record high casualty rates being inflicted on the Afghan civilian population by the warring parties. Covering the period 1 January to 30 June 2018, findings include the killing of more civilians in the first six months of this year – 1,692 deaths – than at any comparable time over the last ten years since records have been kept. UNAMA’s latest update documents 5,122 civilian casualties (1,692 deaths and 3,430 injured) – a three percent overall decrease from last year – with civilian deaths up by one percent, the most recorded in the same time period. It is a fact that Taliban’s evil activities are the major cause behind civilian deaths. In several suicide attacks, by both Daesh and Taliban militants, hundreds of civilians have been killed and maimed. Civilian casualty figures remain at record high despite the unprecedented unilateral ceasefires by government and Taliban that occurred over the three-day during Eid. During truce, Taliban members came out of their hideouts, walked to streets, hugged security forces, took selfies. It was a jubilant scene across the country with remerges of hope that peace is possible. Though, Taliban rejected the news of a halt bombing in urban places, but there is a quite noticeable change in their ranks. For instance, there are fewer suicide attacks in the cities now, but of course not the end of suicide attack. The Taliban members already welcomed by Afghan masses—the one who lost their dearest and nearest one in their attacks. But still they warmly welcomed Taliban and hugged them during truce. A totally indication that still there is room for Taliban to reintegrate into civil society, and the Afghans despite suffered a lot at their hands, expressed happiness and want Taliban to join them in building their motherland. It is a fact that war is neither in interest of Afghan government nor the Taliban. Why we should turn weapons against each other. We are all Afghans, and let’s live unitedly and be in serves of our Afghan masses. All the Afghans from high-ranking officials to ordinaries, and from politic leaders to Afghan Taliban must understand that, “United We Stand, Divided We Fall’.