The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and Karen Decker, the Chargé d’Affaires at the US Mission to Afghanistan based in Qatar, strongly condemned the attack on the Longan Hotel in Kabul.
UNAMA stated that the attack left casualties that include both civilians and Chinese nationals.
Via a tweet on Tuesday evening, December 13, UNAMA wrote that violence in Afghanistan serves no purpose but to prolong the agony of more than 40 years of war.
This armed attack took place around 2:30 PM on Monday, December 12 targeting the Chinese Longan Hotel which is frequented by Chinese citizens and other foreigners.
According to Kabul Emergency Hospital, at least three people were killed and 18 others wounded in the attack.
By posting a video, the ISKP claimed responsibility for Monday’s attack.
After the attack, China’s foreign ministry recommended that Chinese nationals and organizations leave Afghanistan as soon as possible due to the security threats.
Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin confirmed in a regular news briefing on Tuesday, December 13, that five Chinese nationals were wounded in the attack.
Moreover, the Chinese official has called on the Taliban authorities to open a “comprehensive investigation” into the attack on the hotel which has been opened by a Chinese investor earlier this year in downtown Kabul.
Wang Wenbin also stressed that the Taliban government should beef up the security measures for Chinese citizens and organizations in Afghanistan.
In a tweet on December 13, Karen Decker wrote that it is hard to see a number of attacks carried out on foreign nationals in Afghanistan where innocent Afghans are the victims as well.
Karen Decker called for a swift investigation of the attack.
My condolences to the families of the victims and hope for loved ones to recover quickly, Karen Decker added in another Twitter thread.
In addition, she called on de facto authorities in Afghanistan to protect diplomats and the Afghan people.
This is the first attack against Chinese citizens ever since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. Contrary to their claims, the Taliban have largely failed to ensure security and prevent lethal attacks, particularly those of the ISKP, in Afghanistan’s major cities.
ISKP terrorists have launched deadly attacks, including attacks on the embassies of Russia and Pakistan, in recent months. Though the Taliban regime is not officially recognized by any country, China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran have maintained a significant diplomatic presence in Kabul.
