KABUL, Afghanistan, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross announced it visited three Afghan soldiers held by the Taliban for the first time since the current conflict began.
The ICRC said that it was able to check on the conditions of three members of the Afghan security forces during two visits to Badghis province in the northwest of the country.
Reto Stocker, the ICRC chief in Kabul, said the visits were a breakthrough for his group, adding more visits were planned with those in Taliban custody in order to ensure they are treated humanely.
"This is the first time since the beginning of the current conflict that the ICRC has visited people detained by the armed opposition," he said. "We welcome this breakthrough."
The ICRC said it has registered more than 16,000 people in 136 places of detention since the current conflict in Afghanistan began in 2001.
The ICRC through its various local networks is able to visit those held in captivity by armed insurgent groups. With its connections, it acts as the liaison between captives and family members on a strictly confidential basis.
The ICRC said the visits to Badghis province took place in November.
