UAE citizens killed in Afghanistan attack
January 11, 2017
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday announced that five members of its diplomatic staff were killed in the deadly bomb attack that struck the governor's compound in southern Afghanistan.
The foreign ministry said the officials were on a "humanitarian mission within the program of the UAE to support the brotherly Afghan people."
Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum ordered the nation's flags at half-staff for three days in order to honor "the martyrs who gave their lives in defense of humanitarian causes."
"There is no human, moral or religious justification for the bombing and killing of people trying to help," said al-Maktoum.
The attack left at least seven dead and 18 others wounded, including provincial governor Homayun Azizia and UAE ambassador Juma Mohammed Abdullah al-Kaabi.
'Local rivalry'
While the Taliban claimed responsibility for two other attacks in Afghanistan on Tuesday, it denied any involvement in the Kandahar bombing.
When the militant group held power in Afghanistan between 1996 and 2001, Abu Dhabi was one of three governments that recognized Taliban rule.
Meanwhile, nearly 40 people have been killed and dozens wounded in two Taliban-claimed attacks on Tuesday. However, the militant group issued a statement on Wednesday that blamed an "internal local rivalry" for the onslaught.
More than 100,000 people have been killed since 2001, when the US toppled the Taliban government, according to independent monitors.
ls/ (AP, AFP)