KABUL - The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemns the Taliban’s attack at the Spanish Embassy compound in Kabul as an attack against the entire international community. Yesterday’s attack at the compound claimed the lives of at least two civilians with several more injured, as well as extensive damage to the Embassy complex.

UNAMA calls upon all parties to immediately cease targeting civilians.

Civilians may never be deliberately targeted in any location. Such attacks are explicitly prohibited under international humanitarian law.

The attack in Kabul was the second major incident within a week for which the Taliban claimed responsibility where they deliberately targeted civilians causing significant loss of civilian life. The earlier attack occurred over a 24-hour period on 8 and 9 December in Kandahar airport where the Taliban intentionally targeted civilian areas of the base. As many as 39 civilians, including children, were killed and a further 23 injured when Taliban fighters dismounted their vehicles in the bazaar and opened fire on shopkeepers and customers. The fighting reportedly continued in the residential areas of the base accommodating the families of Afghan security forces and airport staff. Civilian relatives of military personnel can never be classified as combatants.

UNAMA reiterates that civilians may never be the object of an attack at any time and in any place.

The UN Mission expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and a speedy recovery to the injured.