War in Afghanistan has no military solution: United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (C) arrives to meet Afghan families who fled the conflict at a camp for internally displaced persons (IDP) on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, June 14, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres says there is no military solution to the crisis in Afghanistan that is displacing record numbers of people as the United States mulls sending more troops to the war-torn country.

Guterres made the remarks during an unannounced visit to the Afghan capital, Kabul, on Wednesday.

Afghanistan is still suffering from insecurity and violence years after the United States and its allies invaded the country in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The military invasion removed the Taliban from power, but militancy continues to this day.

During his visit to a makeshift camp for internally displaced persons (IDP) on the outskirts of Kabul that accommodates families who fled the fighting, Guterres said the Afghan conflict could only be solved by ending the war.

"Obviously, peace is the solution for their problem, and the international community, the neighboring countries, all those that are related to the Afghan crisis, need to come together to understand that this is a war that has no military solution, that we need to have a political solution,” he said.

The crisis for refugees and internally displaced people forced international bodies such as the UN to call for emergency funding.

Afghan children watch the visiting UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres (not shown) at a camp for internally displaced persons (IDP) on the outskirts of Kabul on June 14, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Referring to the suffering of the displaced people, the UN chief said, "We need to increase the level of humanitarian assistance and we need to create all conditions for them to be able to live in dignity."

The news comes as the administration of US President Donald Trump is planning to deploy thousands more troops to the war-torn country. The US-led occupying force officially announced to end its combat operations in the country at the end of 2014, and its current mission is to “train, advise, and assist” Afghan troops.

Washington has admitted to its failure in the years-long war in the Asian country.

US Defense Secretary James Mattis acknowledged on Tuesday that the United States was “not winning” in the war in Afghanistan.

Facing tough questions from Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman John McCain, the Pentagon chief admitted that the US forces were not performing well in Afghanistan.

“We are not winning in Afghanistan right now,” said Mattis. “We will correct this as soon as possible.”