On Saturday, a group of Taliban deliberately shot 16 labourers, killing 12 and injuring four in the Qala-e-Kah district of Farah province, according to a press statement issued by the Mission.

It added that all 16 civilians were from the same village and were on their way to work when the Taliban stopped their vehicles and shot them. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the killings on their website.

“Such heinous killings are war crimes and spread terror among the civilian population,” said the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Ján Kubiš. “The Taliban should immediately cease deliberately targeting and killing civilians.”

UNAMA reiterated that attacks directed against civilians are serious violations of international humanitarian law which all parties to the armed conflict – including all anti-Government elements – are required to uphold.

Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), Ján Kubiš. Photo: Eric Kanalstein/UNAMA