AFGHANISTAN is on the brink of humanitarian disaster, the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) warned on Tuesday, as the Taliban continues to make advances across the country.

UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch said that thousands were fleeing their homes and called for action from the international community to prevent disaster from unfolding.

“Afghanistan is on the brink of another humanitarian crisis. This can be avoided. This should be avoided,” he said.

“A failure to reach a peace agreement in Afghanistan and stem the current violence will lead to further displacement within the country, as well as to neighbouring countries and beyond.

“We urge the international community to step up support to the government and people of Afghanistan and its neighbours at this critical moment,” he said.

Earlier this week the Taliban claimed to have taken control of 85 per cent of the country, including a key border crossing with Iran.

The Afghan government denied this and promised to retake control of the areas that have fallen to the Islamists since the US  announced its withdrawal last week.

According to the UNHCR, about 270,000 civilians have been displaced inside the country since January, bringing the total population forced from their homes to over 3.5 million.

Taliban forces were accused of executing 22 Afghan commandos in Faryab province after they had surrendered.

Video footage circulating on Tuesday was backed by witnesses who said the incident took place in the town of Dawlat Abad,  close to Afghanistan’s border with Turkmenistan, on June 16. 

The victims were said to be members of an Afghan special forces unit who had run out of ammunition and were surrounded by Taliban fighters.