The U.S. special envoy for peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, has condemned yesterday’s “barbaric” attack on Kabul University, and said the Afghan government and the Taliban should not use it as an “opportunity to score points against each other”.
“This barbaric attack is NOT an opportunity for the government and the Taliban to score points against each other,” the U.S. peace envoy took to Twitter.
He said ISIS/Daesh, who is a “common enemy” of both the government and the Taliban, was behind the attack. He called upon both sides to “deny” ISIS/Daesh or other terrorist groups “the space to carry out these inhumane acts.”
“Unite for peace, find a path to a ceasefire, and accelerate a political settlement. These steps would be the right response to this unspeakable barbarism,” Mr. Khalilzad said.
Khalilzad’s comments came after the government First Vice President Amrullah Saleh blamed the Taliban group to be behind. The Taliban, however, in a statement denied to be responsible.
The attack on Kabul University in Afghanistan’s capital on Monday claimed by ISIS/Daesh came as three gunmen stormed the university yesterday around 11:30am.
The hours-long attack ended yesterday evening with all three assailants killed by Afghan forces. The Afghan Ministry of Public Health confirmed at least 22 dead and 22 others wounded in the assault.
The Afghan government declared Tuesday a national day of mourning to pay tribute for the victims.
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