UNSC condemns increasing terrorist attacks against civilians in Afghanistan

New Delhi: UN Security Council President Pedro Comissário Afonso and other members condemned in the strongest terms the continued terrorist attacks targeting civilians in Afghanistan.

The UN Security Council condemned in strongest words the attack near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan on 27 March, which was claimed by the Islamic State affiliate in Afghanistan — known as Islamic State of Khorasan or ISIS-K, killing six people and injuring dozens.

A former Afghan diplomat, Asadullah Rahmani, who served as a diplomat in Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, and Japan, was among the six killed people. He was working as a part-time archivist for the ministry.

The US special envoy for Afghanistan, Thomas West, said on Twitter, "Afghans have suffered enough, and terrorism for any reason at any place is indefensible. Sincerest condolences to the families of the victims and those injured."

Terrible reports of a suicide attack in Kabul. Afghans have suffered enough, and terrorism for any reason at any place is indefensible. Sincerest condolences to the families of the victims and to those injured.

— U.S. Special Representative Thomas West (@US4AfghanPeace) March 27, 2023

The UN Security Council, in a strong Press release, reminded all "States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts."

Calling terrorism one of the most severe threats to peace and security in Afghanistan, as well as in the world, the members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice.

They urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.

Attacks are extensively condemned

The recent blast near the Foreign Ministry in Kabul on Monday has sparked massive condemnations from Afghan politicians, international organizations, and several diplomatic missions. It is the second attack on the foreign affairs ministry this year, housed in the most secure area with several government offices and diplomatic missions.

The Interior Ministry's spokesman Abdul Nafay Takor of Afghanistan said the attacker was gunned down reaching his target, but explosives attached to his body were detonated. The third deputy prime minister, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, condemned the attack. He said that such attacks reveal the real faces of the enemies of Islam and Afghans.

Former President Hamid Karzai condemned the attack and called it against human and Islamic values, while former chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation, Abdullah Abdullah while condemning called it an attack organized by the "enemies of the Afghan people".

The ISIS -K or Daesh phenomenon

The ISIS -K or Daesh phenomenon is on the increase in Afghanistan despite claims by the ruling government that they have been able to arrest, kill and reduce their presence. Since returning to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban have struggled to contain the banned Islamic State Khorasan province or ISIS-K operating in Afghanistan.

The last two years have seen intermittent fresh waves of the assassination of top Taliban officials, sympathizers, and religious leaders and attacks on educational institutions and sacred places. The series of blasts claimed by the ISIS-K and suicidal terrorist attacks have rocked the country and induced fears among politicians, religious leaders, and civilians.

More so for those associated with US and Western countries or all those whom the ISIS-K feels is against their interests.

One of the analysts said that if the growth of ISIS-K is not seized in Afghanistan, they will be encouraged to expand their attack on the western and US interests institutions or establishments.

The ruling Taliban needs to take advice from those countries or experts who have experience and strength in counter-terrorism. to neutralize the growing menace of ISIS-K or else their growth could lead to yet another cycle of violence, fear, and terror in the country.

ISIS-K was established in 2015 by disaffected Pakistani Taliban fighters. The group's ideology took hold partly because many villages there are home to Salafi Muslims, the same branch of Sunni Islam as the Islamic State. Salafists are a smaller minority among the Taliban, mainly following the Hanafi school.