Afghanistan: UN Mission condemns suicide attack against Iraqi embassy in Kabul
| Publisher | UN News Service |
| Publication Date | 31 July 2017 |
| Cite as | UN News Service, Afghanistan: UN Mission condemns suicide attack against Iraqi embassy in Kabul, 31 July 2017, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/59844fab4.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The United Nations political mission in Afghanistan today denounced an attack on the embassy of Iraq saying it is another attack aimed at the international community but where Afghan civilians bear 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.
The attack, which occurred in a residential area of central Kabul, lasted around five hours.
Several armed men killed two Afghan civilian employees inside the embassy and injured a police officer before being killed by Afghan security forces.
“I commend the Afghan security forces for their swift action that saved many lives,” said Mr. Yamamoto, who heads the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, or UNAMA.
He noted that the attack is yet another which “appears to have targeted the international community but in which Afghan civilians bore the brunt of the violence.”
Diplomatic missions are civilian objects protected under international humanitarian law, and attacks directed at them are serious violations that may amount to war crimes.
The Islamic State in the Khorasan Province has claimed responsibility.
