Afghanistan: Security Council condemns Taliban attack near Spanish embassy in Kabul

12 December 2015 - Following the attack yesterday in the vicinity of the Embassy of Spain in Kabul, Afghanistan, which resulted in casualties from both Afghan Police and Spanish National Police, the United Nations Security Council condemned “in the strongest terms” the terrorist attack for which the Taliban has claimed responsibility.

“The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and Government of Afghanistan, as well as to the people and Government of Spain. They wished the injured a speedy recovery,” said a press statement issued by the Security Council.

The Council reiterated its serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) affiliates, and illegal armed groups to the local population, national security forces, and international presence in Afghanistan.

“The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities in this regard,” said the statement.

Further, the Council members reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.

They also reaffirmed and reiterated their determination to combat by all means, in in accordance with the UN Charter and all obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

“The members of the Security Council reiterated that no violent or terrorist acts can reverse the path towards Afghan-led peace, democracy and stability in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people and the Government of Afghanistan and by the international community,” the statement concluded.

At the same time, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also condemned the attacks and said this was an “attack against the international community”.

The UN mission said that the casualties of the attacks included at least two civilians with several more injured, along with extensive damage to the Embassy complex.

UNAMA stressed that civilians may never be deliberately targeted in any location as such attacks are explicitly prohibited under international humanitarian law and expressed its sincere condolences to the families of the victims and a speedy recovery to the injured.

They noted that 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.

Earlier this week, an 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, which killed 39 civilians, including children, and a further 23 injured when Taliban fighters dismounted their vehicles in the bazaar and opened fire on shopkeepers and customers.

UNAMA said that the fighting reportedly continued in the residential areas of the base accommodating the families of Afghan security forces and airport staff, and stressed that civilian relatives of military personnel can never be classified as combatants.