An injured woman and her child receive medical treatment at a hospital in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan, Oct. 12, 2016. At least 14 people were killed and over 40 others injured Tuesday night after gunmen attacked a shrine in Kabul, where hundreds of mourners were observing Ashura rituals during the Muslim holy month of Maharram.(Xinhua/Rahmat Alizadah)
WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attacks at two mosques in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan and the attack in the country's Balkh Province, the White House said Wednesday.
The attacks, which came as Afghans were observing Ashura rituals during holy Muslim's month of Muharram, killed at least 32 people and wounded more than 80.
"These cowardly attacks... targeted Shia civilians preparing for the Ashura holy day of mourning and were clearly designed to stoke sectarian tension in Afghanistan," Ned Price, spokesperson for White House's National Security Council, said in a statement.
The U.S. commended the Afghan police and other security forces who bravely responded to these attacks and fully support efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, Price said.
The U.S. stands with the people and Government of Afghanistan as we work together to build a more secure, stable, and prosperous Afghanistan, the spokesperson added.
Related:
Terror attacks kill 30 as Afghans observe Ashura amid tight security
KABUL, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Afghans marked Ashura or the 10th day of Muslim's month of Maharram on lunar calendar which is a remembrance day for Muslims particularly the Shiite sect to observe the martyrdom of prophet Mohammad's grandson Imam Hussain and his 72 companions who were killed in Karbala of Iraq in 680 AD. Full story
