WATCH: U.S. concerned about Sri Lanka crackdown, says Price

State Department Spokesman Ned Price expressed U.S. concern during a news briefing on Tuesday after Sri Lanka’s defense ministry ordered security forces to shoot anyone causing injury to people or property to contain widespread arson and mob violence targeting government supporters.

Watch Price’ remarks in the player above.

The ministry’s order came after violent clashes a day earlier left eight people dead and prompted the resignation of the prime minister, who is blamed along with his brother, the president, for leading the country into a severe economic crisis.

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Price also called the Taliban’s growing restrictions on Afghan women “an affront to human rights,” saying they “will continue to impair their the Taliban’s relations with the international community.”