The U.N. Security Council extended sanctions against the Taliban for 18 months in a resolution that warned of the increasing presence and potential growth of Islamic State affiliates in Afghanistan.
The council expressed serious concern about "the ongoing violent and terrorist activities" by the Taliban, al-Qaida and other violent extremist groups in Afghanistan. The resolution was passed unanimously today.
Nicholas Haysom, the U.N. Envoy for Afghanistan, told the council that the country is grappling with an intensified conflict "with much reduced international military support" but has made it through the first year of political transition "an achievement in itself."
Afghanistan's U.N. Ambassador Mahmoud Saikal said the country "will not be defeated by extremist elements.
