Global NewsUN: Kabul Bomb Attacks A Hideous Assault

UN: Kabul Bomb Attacks A Hideous Assault

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August 29, (THEWILL) – The United Nations has called for those responsible for the “hideous assault on desperate civilians” in Kabul to be “caught and brought to justice”. The deadly attacks targeting people queuing at the airport in the Afghan capital were “clearly calculated to kill and maim as many people as possible: civilians – children, women, fathers, mothers,” Rupert Colville, a spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said.

“It was an attack specifically designed to cause carnage and it has caused carnage,” he added. US President Joe Biden has promised to hunt down the jihadists behind an attack in Kabul which killed at least 90 people – including 13 American troops.

The Labour Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has paid tribute to the “courage and bravery” of those still working on the final UK evacuations from Kabul, adding that it is “a dark day for those in Afghanistan”. “The immediate concern is those who have been left behind who urgently need that protection, that support, right now,” he said.

He described the events of the last fortnight as “a huge setback regionally and globally”. “In due course there are going to be some searing questions for the government about the lack of preparation,” he added. Asked if he would put more pressure on US President Joe Biden, he said he wanted “global leadership on this issue” going forward.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan says his government is in direct talks with the Taliban about helping run Kabul Airport, after the departure of international forces at the end of this month. President Erdogan says Turkish officials held talks with the Taliban for three and half hours – suggesting the group is open to Turkey running the airport – but crucially with the Taliban in charge of its security.

The question of how Kabul Airport is run and secured is crucial for the country’s future; the US has already said it must function for Afghanistan to have “some semblance” of a relationship with the world.

Turkey is a member of NATO and has been part of the alliance’s forces in the country. It has secured the airport for the last six years. But the Taliban wants Turkish troops, along with all international forces, out. President Erdogan says despite the talks there is no decision yet about maintaining a presence at the airport, warning of getting “sucked in” to a dangerous situation in light of Thursday’s attacks.

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