Egypt condemns Afghanistan attacks, stresses rejection of violence

CAIRO – 14 May 2020: The Egyptian Foreign Ministry on Thursday has condemned two terrorist attacks in each of the Afghan capital of Kabul and Nangarhar in the eastern part of the country.

The two attacks caused the death of dozens of people including mothers and newborn babies. The Taliban, which claims responsibility for most of the violent acts in the country has denied any involvement in both attacks, Reuters reported.

The ministry’s statement conveyed Egypt’s sincere condolences to the government and people of Afghanistan as well as the families of the victims and wished the injured people a speedy recovery.

The statement also affirmed “Egypt’s rejection to all forms of terrorism, violence and extremism” and stressed its solidarity with Afghanistan during this “painful” situation.

In Kabul, the attack took place on Tuesday when gunmen attacked a hospital killing 24 people. On the same day, 22 others were killed in a suicide attack claimed by the Islamic State (IS) in Nangarhar.

Also, at least five people were killed in a blast in Gardez city in eastern Afghanistan, when a truck packed with explosives blew up near a court. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has denounced the attack and ordered the army to turn from defensive to offensive stance in face of these assaults, causing a setback to the peace talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government, which have been sponsored by the US administration.

Tens of thousands of civilians and other personnel have been killed since violence erupted in the Asian country after the September 11 attacks in 2011 carried out by terrorist Al-Qaeda group in the US, killing almost 3,000 people. The US then ousted the Taliban from power.

In February, the US and the Taliban signed an agreement in order for the US to withdraw its troops after a long war in Afghanistan.