The United Nations has condemned terrorist attacks near the Parliament in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, and the residence of the Provincial Governor of Kandahar, calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
The UN mission in the country said that the attacks killed many people, mainly civilians and including five diplomats from the United Arab Emirates. Many others were injured, including the Kandahar Governor and the visiting UAE Ambassador.
“Indiscriminate attacks against civilians, including diplomatic envoys, are violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and cannot be justified,” said Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, in a statement issued overnight, in which the United Nations extended its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured while expressing its solidarity with the people and Governments of Afghanistan and of the UAE.
According to a press release issued by the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), as many as 13 civilians were killed in an explosion at the residence of the Kandahar Provincial Governor while he was hosting a dinner event for visiting diplomats and dignitaries. No group claimed responsibility for the attack.
“Such unprincipled, unlawful and deplorable attacks cause immense human suffering and make the peace that Afghans need and deserve even more difficult to achieve,” said Pernille Kardel, the Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan. “Those responsible for these attacks must be held accountable,” said Ms. Kardel, who is also acting head of UNAMA
”We will go ahead with our humanitarian mission in Afghanistan”, affirms Khalifa Foundation
The Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayn Foundation has condemned the terrorist attack that targeted the guesthouse of the Kandahar governor and resulted in the martyrdom of a number of Emirati aid workers who were implementing humanitarian, developmental and educational projects in Afghanistan.
”Despite the painful wound and the loss of dedicated men who offered the ultimate sacrifice for advancing humanitarian and charitable work, this act of terror will only reinforce our will to move forward in implementing our humanitarian, relief and developmental projects which serve needy people wherever they are and regardless of race, colour or religion,” the Foundation said in a statement.
”They were on a humanitarian mission to lay the foundation stone for the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Orphanage, and sign an agreement on funding scholarships with Kardan University. Their programme also included the laying of the foundation stone for the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Technical Education in Kabul, funded by the Khalifa Foundation.
The foundation prayed to Allah Almighty to protect the UAE, its leadership and people from any harm, and preserve its dedicated nationals who take it upon themselves to carry out humanitarian work as a duty guided by their religion, morals and customs, which they hold dear under the country’s wise leadership.
