In Afghanistan, Sunday is a national day of mourning. Flags are at half-staff across the country and at Afghan diplomatic missions abroad, the day after insurgents used an explosives-laden ambulance to carry out a deadly attack.
Officials said Sunday the death toll has risen to 103 people, while 235 were wounded in the assault in the capital.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani tweeted that Monday will be a day off in Kabul “to free resources to provide better services” to people affected by Saturday’s “inhumane attack on civilians.”
The president also said on Twitter that Tuesday will be a national prayer day with Quran recitation ceremonies throughout the country.
The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack: A suicide car bomb that ripped through a crowded area outside a government building Saturday in Kabul.
While Ghani said the assault was an attack on civilians, the Taliban has said it was targeting the police force and a counterterrorism unit.
Sunday as some Afghans go to funerals and scour hospitals for loved ones, others are expressing their anger and frustration about the attacks in Kabul.
“Shall we stay home or go to work, shall we meet our friends and cry or shall we force ourselves to create an illusion of hope? How are your starting your day in Kabul?” tweeted Freshta Karim.
“In Kabul starting a day without explosion, it would be a surprise,” tweeted Naser Danesh. “One could only imagine that kind of a day.”
Samim, the owner of a photo studio near the blast site, told Reuters: “Everyday there is fear of attacks here and living has become very dangerous to everyone. It’s not safe to live in Afghanistan anymore.”
Reaction
The United Nations Security Council, in a statement, “condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly terrorist attack.”
The council members said the “perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism” must be held accountable and brought to justice. The members added that “any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.”
The White House also released a statement Saturday condemning the attack.
“This murderous attack renews our resolve and that of our Afghan partners. The Taliban’s cruelty will not prevail. The United States is committed to a secure Afghanistan that is free from terrorists who would target Americans, our allies, and anyone who does not share their wicked ideology,” the statement said.
The U.S. State Department also released a statement, saying, “The Taliban’s use of an ambulance as a weapon to target civilians represents inhumane disregard for the people of Afghanistan and all those working to bring peace to the country, and is a violation of the most basic international norms. We commend all the emergency services personnel for their courageous actions in responding to this terrorist attack.”
The White House and the State Department said all countries who support Afghanistan should take “decisive action” to stop the Taliban and terror groups who support them.
The head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan also condemned the attack and said he was particularly disturbed by credible reports that in clear violation of international humanitarian law, the attackers used a vehicle painted to look like an ambulance, including bearing the distinctive medical emblem.
“I call upon the Taliban to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, at all times. Today’s attack is nothing short of an atrocity, and those who have organized and enabled it must be brought to justice and held to account,” Tadamichi Yamamoto demanded.
An official statement quoting U.S. Ambassador to Kabul John Bass denounced the “senseless” and cowardly attack.
“Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. My government and I stand with the brave people of Afghanistan,” the statement quoted Bass as saying.
Pakistan denounces bombing
Neighboring Pakistan, accused of sheltering the Taliban, also condemned the deadly bombing as a “dastardly terrorist attack” and sympathized the families of the victims.
“No cause or ends justify acts of terrorism against innocent people. We emphasize the need for concerted efforts and effective cooperation among the states to eradicate the scourge of terrorism,” said a foreign ministry statement in Islamabad.
Pakistan denies allegations it is allowing insurgent group to use its soil for violence in Afghanistan.
The deadly bombing came a week after five heavily armed Taliban suicide bombers stormed Kabul’s Intercontinental Hotel in a highly secured part of the city. The raid killed at least 22 people, including 14 foreigners. At least four Americans were among the dead.
Back-to-back attacks in heavily guarded parts of the city have raised severe criticism of the authorities for failing to prevent the violence.
“Over the years — this area has been attacked by suicide bombers … constant intelligence and security failures, which should not be acceptable by any stretch of imagination. A national debate must start on how we can get this right,” Bilal Sarwary, senior Afghan journalist, wrote on his official Twitter account.
Saturday’s blast came just hours after a suicide bomber detonated his explosives-filled car outside a military base in the restive southern province of Helmand. The explosion in the Nad Ali district wounded at least six government forces, officials said.
…