WASHINGTON – The US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Saturday nightthat all countries that support peace in Afghanistan must take a standagainst the Taliban.
In a statement issued by Tillerson, he said: “The United States stronglycondemns today’s (Saturday’s) horrific attack in Kabul. Our thoughts arewith the families of the victims who were injured and killed, and we mournall those who lost their lives in this senseless attack.
He also said “the Taliban’s use of an ambulance as a weapon to targetcivilians represents inhumane disregard for the people of Afghanistan andall those working to bring peace to the country, and is a violation of themost basic international norms. We commend all the emergency servicespersonnel for their courageous actions in responding to this terroristattack.”
In the statement, he also said: “All countries who support peace inAfghanistan have an obligation to take decisive action to stop theTaliban’s campaign of violence.
“There can be no tolerance for those who support or offer sanctuary toterrorist groups. The United States stands with the people of Afghanistan,and we remain firmly committed to supporting the Afghan people’s efforts toachieve peace, security, and prosperity for their country.”
This came after President Donald Trump said on twitter Saturday that “wewill not allow the Taliban to win”.
“Taliban targeted innocent Afghans, brave police in Kabul today. Ourthoughts and prayers go to the victims, and first responders. We will notallow the Taliban to win!,” he wrote.
Saturday’s deadly bombing that claimed the lives of at least 95 people hassparked a global outcry – also because an ambulance was used in theincident.
The Taliban, which claimed responsibility for the attack in a busy area inthe city, had loaded the vehicle with explosives that were detonated closeto the old ministry of interior’s building, adjacent to Chicken Street, inthe city.
The heavy explosion was felt across the city and extensive damage was doneto buildings, shops and cars in the area.
The high casualty toll meanwhile put a serious strain on hospitals in thecity, with the Emergency Hospital reporting by mid-afternoon that it wasfilled to capacity and could not take in any more patients.
Patients were then transferred to other hospitals in the city.
This was just the latest in a string of attacks last week that claimed intotal well over 100 lives around the country and wounded hundreds more. Itwas also the second major attack in Kabul, following the previous weekend’ssiege of Kabul’s Intercontinental Hotel.