US, UK accuse Taliban of ‘massacring’ civilians in Afghan town

The US and Britain said Monday the Taliban may have committed “war crimes,” accusing the extremist group of “massacring civilians” in the town of Spin Boldak on the border with Pakistan.

“In Spin Boldak, Kandahar, the Taliban massacred dozens of civilians in revenge killings. These murders could constitute war crimes; they must be investigated and those Taliban fighters or commanders responsible held accountable,” the embassies of Washington and London said in separate tweets.

Earlier in the day, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani blamed Afghanistan’s fast-deteriorating security situation on a “sudden” decision by the US to withdraw its troops, but said his government had a plan to bring conditions under control within six months.

The Taliban have moved in on three provincial capitals in the last few days, amid rapid advances nationwide since Washington said it planned a complete withdrawal of troops by September.