– What was demonstrated on Thursday is the uncertainty regarding whether we are heading into a new military battle in Afghanistan, Støre says to NTB.
Local sources have told American media that at least 170 people lost their lives in Thursday’s terrorist attack.
According to Støre, after this attack it is more unclear whether the Taliban really has control, or whether we are heading into a new battle between the Taliban and IS. Støre’s fear is that there will now be violent battles to clarify who is in control.
– It is very discouraging and disturbing, what we see, says Støre, who was Minister of Foreign Affairs for a number of years until 2012.
– And it is again a reminder that it is Afghan civilians who pay the highest price. One can lose a night’s sleep by thinking about how many Afghans now fear what lies ahead, he says.
Praises the evacuation effort
Støre also makes it clear that he wants to praise those who have handled the evacuation on the Norwegian side.
– The Storting has been kept informed, and I have also been kept informed about how this has gone. And I want to praise those who have been responsible for a very chaotic situation and got many out. I have been on a trip out of Afghanistan and know how dramatic it can be. Those who have been in this, those who work at the military hospital and our military who make sure that this happens in a proper way, they deserve recognition, he says.
Støre’s hope is now that it will eventually be possible to start up the evacuation again.
– It is a chaotic situation, and I understand that it was necessary to end the evacuation after what happened on Thursday. Then the question is what happens in the short term. Afghanistan can hardly be shut down, and a lot will be decided by whether there is a central power in Afghanistan that gets control.
Will provide humanitarian assistance
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced on Friday that the organization is now preparing for 500,000 Afghans to flee the country by the end of 2021.
It will hit Afghanistan’s neighboring country the hardest, Støre states.
– Especially Pakistan and Iran, but also the countries in the north. Then the world community, together with the UN, must ensure that there is a reception there that can handle such a situation without there being a collapse. That is the most important thing we can do, says Støre to NTB.
– And then I believe that we also, if possible, depending on how the regime in Afghanistan becomes, maintain humanitarian aid to Afghans.
However, he does not envisage that state-to-state aid can continue as the situation is now.
– We must get clarity in who has control, and how they act.
–
