AVA- The US UN secretary general and UN Security Council (UNSC) on Friday strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Afghanistan that killed at least 70 people.

“In the face of these senseless and cowardly acts, our commitment to Afghanistan is unwavering,” the State Department Spokesperson, Heather Nauert, said.

The United States stands with the government and people of Afghanistan and will continue to support their efforts to achieve peace and security for their country, she said.

In a statement, Nauert strongly condemned the October 20 terrorist attacks in Kabul and Ghor, as well as the other attacks carried out across the country this week.

“We commend the Government and security forces of Afghanistan for their response to these attacks, and we offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who were killed,” the spokesperson said.

In a separate statement the UN Secretary-General strongly condemned attacks at mosques in Kabul city and in Ghor Province during Friday prayers. 

“The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured. He expresses his solidarity with the people and Government of Afghanistan,” said a statement attributable to his spokesperson.

This week alone, hundreds of Afghan civilians going about their daily lives, including practicing their religious faith, have fallen victims to brutal acts of violence, the spokesperson said. 

“The Secretary-General emphasizes that those responsible must be swiftly brought to justice.  The cycle of violence must end and dialogue commence,” the spokesperson said.

The United Nations Security Council on Friday Strongly condemning the Kabul, Ghor, Paktia and Ghazni terrorist attacks and called for bringing to justice the perpetrators of the heinous crime that has killed more than 70 people and injured over 200.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility.

In a press statement, the members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.

It urged all States to cooperate actively with the Government of Afghanistan and all other relevant authorities in this regard.

Expressing their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Afghan Government, the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.          

Reiterating that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, the Security Council reaffirmed the need for all States to combat by all means, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.