UNAMA condemns suicide attacks in civilian-populated area of Kabul

30 Apr 2018

UNAMA condemns suicide attacks in civilian-populated area of Kabul

KABUL - The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemns today’s attacks carried out in a Kabul neighbourhood heavily populated by civilians.

Initial reports indicate that at least 14 civilians were killed and at least 30 civilians were injured in two attacks, with the second attack timed 30 minutes later to target journalists arriving on the scene and emergency services personnel seeking to provide aid to victims of the first attack.

“These attacks caused untold human suffering to Afghan families; UNAMA condemns them in the strongest possible terms,” said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA. 

“I am furthermore outraged by the attack which appears to have deliberately targeted journalists; this attack, coming just ahead of World Press Freedom Day, is a direct assault on freedom of expression,” said Yamamoto.

“There is no justification whatsoever for such attacks,” said the UN envoy. “Those who have organized and enabled these attacks must be brought to justice and held to account.”

UNAMA once again calls on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, at all times.

On behalf of the United Nations in Afghanistan, Yamamoto expresses deep condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery of the injured.