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International community condemns Kabul, Nangarhar attacks
The international communities have expressed deep condolence over the attack on a maternity ward in Kabul and a suicide attack at a funeral ceremony in Nangarhar province.
The US, Germany, and UK ambassadors to Afghanistan and the UN and Amnesty International condemned the attacks, which left at least 57 deaths.
The United Nations called the attacks “horrific” and expressed sympathies with the families of the victims.
“The Secretary-General strongly condemns the horrific attack today on a hospital in Kabul, which killed and wounded dozens of people, including women and children,” Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General said in a statement, “The Secretary-General expresses his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Afghanistan.”
UNAMA expresses shock and revulsion at today’s terrorist attacks at a #Kabul maternity hospital and a funeral in #Nangarhar, causing significant civilian casualties. UN in #Afghanistan calls for those responsible to face justice and offers condolences to victims and families. pic.twitter.com/f7pOTEJepa
— UNAMA News (@UNAMAnews) May 12, 2020
The US Chargé d’ Affaires Ross Wilson also condemned the attack in a tweet saying, “I deplore this barbaric attack and condemn the evil terrorists who target those who cannot defend themselves and who are already suffering. Hospitals are centers of compassion with dedicated Afghan and MSF -an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization – Afghanistan staff caring for innocent civilians.”
Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Decker expressed U.S. condolences to 2nd VP Danesh for the horrific attacks yesterday in Kabul and Nangarhar. DCM Decker highlighted Secretary Pompeo’s condemnation of the attacks and America’s sympathy to the victims and families. pic.twitter.com/Hplqi4f8L9
— U.S. Embassy Kabul (@USEmbassyKabul) May 13, 2020
The NATO Deputy SCR, Nicholas Dean also blamed the attacks in Kabul and Nangarhar.
NATO quoting Dean said in a tweet, “I strongly condemn today’s attacks in Kabul & Nangahar targeting innocent civilians. My deepest condolences to the families of those killed. I commend the efforts of the #ANDSF. NATO stands with the people of #Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism.”
“I strongly condemn today’s attacks in #Kabul & #Nangahar targeting innocent civilians. My deepest condolences to the families of those killed.I commend the efforts of the #ANDSF.#NATO stands with the people of #Afghanistan in the fight against terrorism”-Deputy SCR Nicholas Dean
— NATO in Afghanistan (@NATOscr) May 12, 2020
Condemning the attacks, Amnesty International South Asia underlined in a tweet that, “These killings must awaken the world to the horrors #Afghan civilians continue to face—they must get the justice they deserve and the protection they need.”
At least 25 people – including mothers, newborn babies, and nurses – were in the attack on a maternity ward in Dasht-e-Barchi of Kabul city, and the suicide attack on the funeral ceremony of a local police commander in Nangarhar killed 32 and left 133 others wounded.
Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has emphasized the continuation of humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, stating that the ongoing provision of such aid plays an important role in ensuring regional security.
Speaking at the international conference “Peace and Trust” in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, Tokayev described addressing complex humanitarian challenges and the reconstruction of Afghanistan as a necessity.
“To ensure regional security, we consider it essential to continue providing assistance to Afghanistan, including by strengthening international efforts to address complex humanitarian issues and the reconstruction of this country. Kazakhstan remains committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan through humanitarian aid, educational projects, trade development, and food security initiatives,” he said.
Meanwhile, experts believe that sustainable improvement of the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan requires broad cooperation from the international community and support for the country’s economic development.
“Investment can be defined as one of the fundamental drivers of the economic cycle, and whenever Afghan traders do not take their money out of the country and instead invest domestically, it naturally leads to greater growth and dynamism in Afghanistan’s economy,” said Abdul Zahoor Modabber, an economic analyst.
As the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan continues, reports by international relief organizations indicate that millions of citizens of the country are in urgent need of food, health, and livelihood assistance.
The reduction in funding for aid organizations, the impacts of climate change, and the return of migrants have increased concerns about a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country.
The Islamic Emirate has announced that it will not participate in the upcoming meeting of special envoys of regional countries on Afghanistan, scheduled to be held in Tehran, despite having received an invitation.
In a statement, Zia Ahmad Takal, Head of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the Islamic Emirate has maintained continuous and active engagement with all regional countries through various organizations, regional formats, and bilateral mechanisms, achieving notable progress in promoting mutual understanding and regional cooperation.
The statement added that Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs believes regional cooperation should be advanced by strengthening existing mechanisms and formats within the region.
Tehran is set to host the meeting next week, with special envoys from Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China, and Russia expected to attend.
Khalifa Sirajuddin Haqqani, Minister of Interior of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, said during a visit to Khost province on Friday that any government which rules through fear cannot be considered a true government.
“A government is one that is loved by its people, one that serves them with respect and compassion, and from whose behavior people learn ethics and sincerity,” he said.
Haqqani also stressed that Afghans who opposed the Islamic Emirate in the past should be tolerated and treated in a way that helps eliminate hostility and animosity, paving the way for national cohesion.
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