KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – International reactions have intensified following a deadly overnight attack on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, with global officials expressing deep concern over rising civilian casualties in the escalating tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, and European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib said in a joint statement on Tuesday that the strike on the addiction treatment facility marked “another deadly escalation in a conflict that needs to end as soon as possible.”
The statement stressed that civilian infrastructure, particularly medical facilities, must never be targeted. It added that under international humanitarian law — including the Geneva Conventions — such sites are protected and all parties involved in hostilities are obligated to respect these rules under all circumstances.
They also urged maximum restraint and called on all sides to take every possible measure to prevent harm to civilians. The European Union reiterated its call, alongside the international community, for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s de facto authorities.
Separately, United Nations Assistance Mission (UNAMA) in Afghanistan said the attack had affected a drug treatment hospital in Kabul, resulting in dozens of casualties. The UN mission expressed sympathy with victims’ families and warned that civilians continue to bear the brunt of the ongoing conflict.
According to UNAMA, at least 76 civilians have been killed and 213 others injured across Afghanistan since late February amid the escalating violence.
The mission reiterated that under international law, all parties must protect the wounded and sick, medical personnel, hospitals and ambulances, and that any attack on civilian facilities is strictly prohibited.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Richard Lindsay, said he was “deeply concerned” by the increasing civilian toll, noting that “Civilians bear the heaviest burden.”
He called for de-escalation, protection of civilians, and a return to dialogue.
The rehabilitation hospital, identified as the “Omid” facility in Kabul, was reportedly struck at around 9:00 pm on Monday.
The Taliban have blamed Pakistan for the attack, claiming that at least 400 people were killed and 250 others wounded. Pakistan has denied targeting civilian infrastructure, stating instead that its operations were aimed at “military installations and terrorist support infrastructure” in Kabul and Nangarhar.
The airstrikes occurred amid escalating tensions between the Taliban and Islamabad in recent months, with both sides exchanging fire and airstrikes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Pakistan says its operations target Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants and their support networks operating from Afghan territory.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has documented at least 289 civilian casualties from recent Pakistani airstrikes across several provinces, including 76 deaths. Humanitarian groups and regional powers, including China, Russia, and Turkey, have called for de-escalation, highlighting the need to protect civilians and maintain border stability amid fears of further displacement and worsening humanitarian needs.
