KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemns the killing of 11 Afghan de-miners and the wounding of another six in an attack in Helmand province yesterday.

 “The deliberate targeting and killing of de-miners removing explosive ordnance in order to make Afghanistan a safer place is particularly odious and totally unacceptable,” said the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Nicholas Haysom.

According to reports, anti-Government elements ambushed the group of de-miners as they were clearing unexploded ordnance in Nad Ali district, Helmand province.
UNAMA stresses that attacks directed against civilians are serious violations of international humanitarian law, which parties to the armed conflict must uphold.

The UN Mission extends its condolences to the families of those killed and wishes a speedy recovery for the wounded.