Security Council strongly condemns deadly terrorist attack near Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan

The United Nations Security Council today condemned “in the strongest terms” the terrorist attack in Afghanistan that killed at least six United States service members, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility, saying “no violent or terrorist acts can reverse the path towards Afghan-led peace, democracy and stability.”

In a press statement, the 15-member Security Council “underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice” and urged all states to cooperate actively with the Afghan authorities in this regard.

According to news reports, a suicide bomber rammed into a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led foot patrol as it moved through a village close to the base, which is 45 kilometres (28 miles) north of Kabul.

The Council members also “reiterated their serious concern at the threats posed by the Taliban, Al-Qaida, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levan (ISIL, or Da’esh) affiliates, illegal and armed groups to the local population, national defense and security forces, and international presence in Afghanistan.”

In addition, they “reiterated that no violent or terrorist acts can reverse the path towards Afghan-led peace, democracy and stability in Afghanistan, which is supported by the people and the Government of Afghanistan and by the international community.”

The statement “reaffirmed the need and reiterated [Council members’] determination to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and all obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.”

“Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group,” it said.