US special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, on Tuesday asked the warring Afghan sides to urgently agree on “reduction of violence” in the country. 

Khalilzad, in what is considered as a subtle warning to the Afghan government and the Taliban, said, “The window to achieve political solution will not stay open forever.” He said he is returning to the region disappointed as despite commitments to reduce violence, it hasn’t happened. 

“Afghans are dying at a high rate, and regional spoilers are using Afghans as cannon fodder for their illegitimate objectives. Bloodshed must end,” Khalilzad said in a tweet. 

In a recently released report, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said that the civilian casualty figure remained “shocking,” despite being down by 30% in comparison to last year number of the same period. 

Zalmay Khalilzad departed on Monday from the US to Oslo to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and Doha with key international players. In Doha, he is expected to meet with the Afghan parties.