The United Nations says the Taleban has been physically attacking U.N. workers and destroying their equipment in Afghanistan.
The United Nations reports that the Taleban entered U.N. offices in Mazar-e-Sharif, stealing and destroying equipment and smashing the windows of nine U.N. vehicles.
In addition, U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard says people working on behalf of U.N. mine destruction operations have been attacked by the Taleban authorities in three Afghan cities.
"Mine action [organizations] working with the United Nations Mine Action program are increasingly under attack by the Taleban, according to the coordinator's spokesperson Stephanie Bunker. She reports that staff have been beaten in Kabul, Jalalabad and Kandahar," he said.
Mr. Eckhard says this is not the first time that U.N. workers have been physically attacked in Afghanistan. He observed that "it looks like some old habits have returned."
Despite the abuse, U.N. relief officials continue their efforts to provide food to the displaced people of Afghanistan. Wednesday, a convoy of 40 trucks loaded with more than 1,000 metric tons of wheat left Peshawar, Pakistan and is expected to arrive in Kabul, Afghanistan by Friday.