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Attack in Kabul. A member of the EUPOL Afghanistan mission killed (maj2)

Two of the vehicles hit in the attack (Credit: BBC)
Two of the vehicles hit in the attack (Credit: BBC)

(BRUSSELS2) A suicide attack, with a car bomb near Kabul international airport, killed, this Sunday (May 17) morning, a member of the European support mission for the Afghan police (EUPOL Afghanistan). Assessment confirmed by EUPOL Afghanistan. " Three other members of the mission who were in the targeted vehicle were taken to a safe place. Two of them were injured. But their wounds are not fatal. says a statement from the mission. The person killed is, according to our information, a member of the close security team of EUPOL, of British nationality, as confirmed by the British Foreign Office (Foreign Office).

Ram car attack

The first elements of the investigation show that the assailants used a ram-packed car with explosives to commit their crime. According to a police spokesman, Ebadullah Karimi, quoted by the agencies, a "suicide bomber" in a Toyota Corolla rammed the EUPOL vehicle on the road to Kabul's main airport, about 200 meters from the airport. entrance to the main airport, along the road leading to the nearby NATO military base. Two civilians, two young Afghan girls, according to AFP, were also killed in this attack claimed by the Taliban. And 18 other people injured, including several children. Several other (civilian) vehicles present on the spot were destroyed.

A necessary commitment from the Afghan authorities

The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs reacted quickly this morning, bringing her " deepest sympathy to the families, friends and loved ones of our colleague et of all the other innocent victims”. But Federica Mogherini also wanted to use more political language as a warning to the Afghan authorities. " Afghan government must ensure those responsible for this attack are brought to justice she said. " The road to peace and stability in Afghanistan is long. It requires a strong commitment from the Afghan government, the unity of the Afghan people and all the international support the Afghans need. As the European Union (...), (we will) continue our commitment to security, development and the respect and improvement of the rights of all, starting with those of children and women”.

Determination intact

« I can assure you that this heinous crime would not Stop EUPOL to continue his support for the people and the Afghan government said the head of the mission, Pia Stjernvall. " We are more determined than ever à Carry on to work with our Afghan partners and international for an Afghanistan safer ».

A mission already touched in the past

It seems this time that it is the EUPOL mission that has been targeted as such. A vehicle from the EUPOL Afghanistan mission had been "involved" in a suicide attack in early January 2015 in Kabul, confirmed the European Afghan police support mission (Read: A European vehicle (EUPOL Afghanistan) targeted by a suicide attack in Kabul). Two other members of the mission died in January 2014 in an attack that targeted a restaurant frequented by foreigners in the Afghan capital (Read: 2 dead at EUPOL Afghanistan in a restaurant attack in Kabul).

NB: This is the 54e person to die within the framework of a European mission or delegation, since the establishment of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of the European Union. Read memorial

(NGV)

(Shift) Sun. 12:45 p.m. Updated with details on the modus operandi, nationality and function of the victim, the more complete assessment of the attack + statement by Federica Mogherini

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).

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