UAE strongly condemns terrorist attack on a school in Afghanistan

The UAE has strongly condemned the terrorist attack that targeted a school in Aybak, north of the capital Kabul, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries, mostly children.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) affirmed that the UAE expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of human values and principles.

The Ministry also expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the Afghan people and to the parents and families of the victims of this heinous crime as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.

At least 19 people were killed and 24 others wounded on Wednesday by a blast at a religious school in Afghanistan's northern city of Aybak, a doctor at a local hospital told AFP.

The doctor in Aybak, about 200 kilometres north of the capital Kabul, said the casualties were mostly youngsters. "All of them are children and ordinary people," he told AFP, asking not to be named.

A provincial official confirmed the blast at Al Jihad madrassa, an Islamic religious school, but could not provide casualty figures.

The Taliban, which frequently plays down casualty figures, said 10 students had died and "many others" were injured.

UAE flays terrorist attack in Mogadishu

Separately, the UAE has also strongly condemned the terrorist attack that targeted a hotel in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries.

In a statement, the MoFAIC affirmed that the UAE expresses its strong condemnation of these criminal acts and its permanent rejection of all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability in contravention of human values and principles.

The Ministry also expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims of this heinous crime, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured.

WAM / AFP