The Council in its statement called on all parties involved in the conflict to seize the opportunity to begin an inclusive dialogue between Afghan interests in order to negotiate a political settlement.

Taliban fighters announced the start of a spring offensive last Friday, calling on Afghan government soldiers and police to abandon their government and join the insurgency. The move was made amid peace talks between the Taliban and the US which as yet have brought no clear results. The Taliban launched attacks near the northern city of Kunduz as well as in Kabul hours after announcing the start of the offensive, killing at least 9 people and injuring dozens.