The World Council of Churches has expressed deep shock and sadness over two attacks in Afghanistan including one in a Kabul hospital in which mothers and newborn babies were killed.
Gunmen attacked the hospital in Kabul on Tuesday morning, killing at least 24 – including many mothers and two newborn babies, and injuring at least 16 more. Meanwhile in the east of the country, a suicide bomber detonated at the funeral of a police commander, killing at least 32. In the wake of the attacks, President Ashraf Ghani said he was ordering offensive military operations to be resumed against the Taliban and other militant groups.
While the so-called Islamic State has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack on the funeral, it is not yet known who carried out the attack on the hospital. The Taliban have denied involvement.
Rev Prof Dr Ioan Sauca, acting general secretary of the World Council of Churches, described the attacks – which he said “targeted innocent people at the most vulnerable points of life and death” – as “heart rending”.
“To deprive newborn babies and their mothers of their lives, and to attack people commemorating the life of a community member at his funeral are stains on our humanity” he said. “The WCC deplores these acts of violence and prays for God’s strength and solace to all those affected by these brutal attacks. May all those bereaved in these tragedies experience God’s love and peace even in the midst of their grief and pain.”
Sauca addes that the attacks represented a “major setback” to peace efforts “at a time when there were increasing signs and anticipation of an end to violent conflict in the region”.
“Further, the current situation of a global pandemic, in which we are increasingly reminded of the fragility and sanctity of human lives each moment and a global ceasefire appeal has been made, makes these attacks all the more appalling,” he said.
