Condolences still pouring in for Emiratis killed in terror attack

Condolences and condemnations continued to flood in on Thursday after the killing of five Emiratis in Afghanistan.

A view of the guesthouse after Tuesday’s bomb blast in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Five UAE diplomats were killed in the bombing in southern Afghanistan the day before, the deadliest attack to ever target the young nation’s diplomatic corps. AP Photos / Allauddin KhanShow less

Condolences and condemnations continued to pour in Thursday following the death of five Emiratis in a terror attack in Afghanistan.

The embassy officials had been on a humanitarian mission and were meeting with the Kandahar governor when his compound was bombed on Tuesday. The UAE Ambassador to Afghanistan and the governor were injured.

The President, Sheikh Khalifa, received a cable from Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas extending his condolences on behalf of Palestinians, calling it an “abominable terrorist attack which is denounced by all religions and human norms and morals”.

Lebanese president Michel Aoun also sent a cable to Sheikh Khalifa, condemning the attack and wishing a speeding recovery to the injured UAE Ambassador, Juma Al Kaabi.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, had received phone calls from leaders of Arab states including King Salman of Saudi Arabia, King Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani of Qatar, King Mohammed VI of Morocco and president Omar Al Bashir of Sudan.

He also received a call from Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, the Saudi crown prince, deputy prime minister and minister of interior.

Edwin Samuel, the UK government spokesman in the Middle East and North Africa, said targeting Emiratis tasked with humanitarian missions is a crime targeting all diplomatic efforts to promote moderation, peace, conflict resolution and humanitarian work.

Iraq and Turkey also condemned the attack. Ahmed Jamal, spokesman from the Iraqi foreign ministry, called for concerted efforts to cut sources of finance and support for terrorism, while Turkey called the attack “barbaric”.

“Turkey will continue to resolutely stand by Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates in the fight against terrorism,” the Turkish statement read.

The United Nation joined the condemnation and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

“Indiscriminate attacks against civilians, including diplomatic envoys, are violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and cannot be justified,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general.

As many as 13 civilians were killed in the explosion at the Kandahar governor’s residence, where he was hosting a dinner for visiting diplomats and dignitaries, according to the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.

“Such unprincipled, unlawful and deplorable attacks cause immense human suffering and make the peace that Afghans need and deserve even more difficult to achieve,” said Pernille Kardel, the secretary-general’s deputy special representative for Afghanistan.

“Those responsible for these attacks must be held accountable,” said Ms Kardel, who is also acting head of the UN mission.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.