KABUL - The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemns today’s suicide attack against the embassy of Iraq in Kabul.

The attack, which occurred in a residential area of central Kabul, lasted around five hours and involved several armed men who killed two Afghan civilian employees inside the embassy and injured a police officer before being killed by Afghan security forces. Islamic State-Khorasan Province claimed responsibility.

This is yet another attack that appears to have targeted the international community but in which Afghan civilians bore the brunt of the violence.

“This attack shows complete contempt for human life, as well as the international law designed to protect diplomats,” said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan. “I commend the Afghan security forces for their swift action that saved many lives.”

Diplomatic missions are civilian objects protected under international humanitarian law, and attacks directed at them are serious violations that may amount to war crimes.

UNAMA expresses its condolences to the loved ones of those Afghans killed in the attack and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.