The Taliban is reportedly executing Afghan troops who have already surrendered, a move the U.S. embassy says "could constitute war crimes."
According to the American embassy in Kabul, the Taliban has detained senior Afghan leaders and executed Afghan security forces, which until this year were supported by American airstrikes and advisers. The embassy called on the Taliban to engage in a peaceful resolution and support efforts to improve human rights in the region.
"Escalating Taliban violence, including executions of surrendered Afghan troops, shows a lack of respect for human rights," the embassy tweeted. "Don't erase Afghanistan's human rights gains of the last 20 years."
Such crimes are only one example of the Taliban's renewed strength. The Afghan city of Ghanzi fell on Thursday to the group, making it the 10th provincial capital overrun by terrorists this week alone. Some 160 districts within the country have come under Taliban control since the group began an offensive on May 1, shortly after the Biden administration withdrew the vast majority of American troops.
Although President Joe Biden has admitted that the Taliban has regained strength not seen since 2001, the administration continues to cut ties with Afghan allies.
"The Taliban also has to make an assessment about what they want their role to be in the international community," White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday. "Ultimately, the Afghan National Security Defense Forces have the equipment, numbers, and training to fight back. They have what they need. What they need to determine is if they have the political will to fight back."