The United Nations says it is greatly alarmed that the latest upsurge in fighting in Afghanistan has caused large scale displacement of civilians from the Shomali Valley north of the capital, Kabul.

In recent days, the Taleban have been advancing back up the valley, all of which they captured earlier this month but were then forced back to positions they held prior to their offensive.

The UN says that during the past two days alone, an estimated 10,000 civilians have arrived in Kabul from the Shomali Valley and that a further major influx is expected within the next few days.

Opposition stronghold

Earlier this month, the Taleban swept up the fertile Shomali Plain that leads into the Panjshir Valley - stronghold of their last remaining major military opponent Ahmad Shah Massoud.

The Taleban confirmed at the time that they were clearing the whole Shomali region of civilians until the area was secure.

But their hold was short lived. Opposition fighters, some of whom were still hiding in the region, launched a successful counter-attack, pushing the Taleban back to their earlier positions.

Many civilians who had been forced out of the area began returning to their homes. But over the past few days the Taleban have been gradually pushing northwards again and the United Nations says it is greatly alarmed that the latest upsurge in fighting is once again causing such misery for the civilian population.

In a statement, the UN says civilians of all ethnic groups have been arriving in Kabul and that they have confirmed that Taleban fighters forced men, women and children from their homes.

Some of the civilians have made the journey to Kabul on foot while others have been conveyed in vehicles commandeered by the Taleban authorities.

Homes torched

The UN says it has also confirmed earlier reports of the Taleban intentionally setting homes on fire. It says some families speak of whole villages being burned and crops set on fire.

The UN speaks of civilians arriving in Kabul, dehydrated, destitute and with only a few belongings they could carry.

Aid workers also report another sizeable movement of civilians north of the front lines into the Panjshir Valley and the United Nations says it is concerned for their immediate welfare given the mountainous terrain and the limits of access to the valley.

In its statement, the United Nations calls on both sides in the conflict to provide for the immediate needs of families displaced as a direct result of military activity.