At least 27
children have been killed in Afghanistan over the last three days as violence
engulfs the war-torn country, according to UNICEF. The UN children’s agency
said that it was shocked by the “rapid escalation of grave violations against children”.

Afghanistan seems
on the brink of a civil war as the Taliban make major advances across the
country on the heel of withdrawal of US troops. The Taliban, which already held
considerable sway over the rural parts of Afghanistan, have now taken over six provincial
capitals since Friday.

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International
appeals to cease fire have fallen on deaf years. News reports indicate that
more than a thousand people have been killed in the conflict over the last one
month.

The 27 fatalities
reported to the UNICEF have been recorded across three provinces — Kandahar,
Paktia and Khost. Unicef said that nearly 127 children have been injured in the
violence in these areas.

Children have been
killed in roadside bombs and in the crossfire, reports the BBC. A mother is
said to have told UNICEF representatives on site that she and her family were
asleep at their home when suddenly a shrapnel hit their house which started a
fire. Her 10-year-old son sustained “horrific burns”.

Many children have
been found sleeping on streets. UNICEF has appealed to all sides to ensure that
children are protected from the violence.

Meanwhile, the
Taliban continue to capture parts of Afghanistan. Recently, the militant outfit
overran the city of Kunduz in northern Afghanistan which is said to be the
gateway to the mineral-rich provinces.

Kunduz is of
immense strategic importance as it is located close to Afghanistan’s border
with Tajikistan, a route known for the smuggling of opium and heroin. The
region also holds symbolic value for the Taliban because it was their key
northern stronghold before 2001 and again in 2016.