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Amrullah Saleh says Taliban blocking food, fuel supplies to Andarab valley

The WHO Regional Director, Richard Brennan, stated that the organisation is unable to get 500 tonnes of medical supplies into the nation, which were due to arrive this week.

Afghanistan Amrullah Saleh Taliban blocking food, fuel supplies gcw
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Kabul, First Published Aug 24, 2021, 12:55 PM IST

Afghanistan's "acting" President Amrullah Saleh has emphasised the terrible "humanitarian situation" in the Andarab valley in northern Baghlan province and accused the Taliban of human rights crimes there.

This comes as confrontations between the Taliban and opposition troops in the Andarab area have been reported. Local resistance troops in the Panjshir valley, commanded by Ahmad Massoud, son of famed anti-Taliban politician Ahmad Shah Massoud, are allegedly posing a challenge to Taliban forces. Taking to the micro-blogging site, Saleh said, "Talibs aren't allowing food and fuel to get into Andarab valley. The humanitarian situation is dire. Thousands of women and children have fled to the mountains. Since the last two days Talibs abduct children and elderly and use them as shields to move around or do house search."

 

Saleh had advised the Taliban not to invade Panjshir the day before. He further added: "Talibs gathered forces near the Panjshir entrance a day after being caught in ambush zones in the neighbouring Andarab valley and barely escaping in one piece. Meanwhile, the Resistance troops have barricaded the Salang highway. There are several terrains to avoid. See you later."

Also Read | Taliban spokesman says China plays positive role in fostering peace, reconciliation in Afghanistan

Meanwhile, UN humanitarian organisations are warning that they cannot transport desperately needed emergency supplies into Afghanistan and are urging for the rapid establishment of a "humanitarian airbridge" to allow the uncontrolled delivery of medications and other relief supplies to the nation.

The WHO Regional Director, Richard Brennan, stated that the organisation is unable to get 500 tonnes of medical supplies into the nation, which were due to arrive this week. The WHO has sent trauma and medical kits from existing supplies to hospitals in Kabul, Kunduz, and Helmand provinces to assist health services for tens of thousands of people in need. However, supplies are running low and must be replaced, according to UN News. The primary focus has been on the evacuation of foreigners and vulnerable Afghans, but the organisations have stated that "the huge humanitarian needs confronting the rest of the people can not - and must - be ignored."

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