UN condemns terrorist attack on Kabul hotel

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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday condemned the terrorist attack on a hotel in Afghanistan's capital Kabul which left at least 18 people dead.

In a statement Guterres offered his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.

"He expresses his solidarity with the Government and people of Afghanistan,” the statement said.

Smoke billows from the Intercontinental Hotel after an attack by armed gunmen in Kabul, Afghanistan, January 21, 2018. /VCG Photo

In a separate statement, Tadamichi Yamamoto, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said that it is a “moral outrage that the Taliban entered the hotel with the intention of killing civilians.”

Underscoring the obligation of all parties in the armed conflict in the country to respect international humanitarian law, he added: “There is simply no justification for this egregious attack, which is specifically prohibited by international humanitarian law and may amount to a war crime.”

Gunman in army uniforms stormed the Intercontinental Hotel late Saturday and battled Afghan Special Forces through the night.

Smoke billows from the Intercontinental Hotel after an attack by armed gunmen in Kabul, Afghanistan, 21 January 2018. /VCG Photo

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, which left at least 18 people dead, including 14 foreigners and four Afghan nationals, although the final death toll may be higher.

The hotel was hosting a telecommunications conference when the attack took place.

Afghan Special Forces rescued around 150 people, after killing the last gunman early Sunday morning. Some of those who died were employees of Kam Air, a private Afghan airline.

The Taliban attacked the same hotel in 2011.

(With input from Xinhua)