KABUL/ MAZAR-E-SHARIF (SW): The German diplomatic mission in Afghanistan has reiterated its resolve to assist Afghanistan become peaceful and prosperous.
On Thursday, at least six civilians died and many more wounded as a suicide bomber detonated his explosives near the German Consulate in Balkh province. The fatal attack targeted the German consulate in the Mazar-e-Sharif city. Rezaq Qadiri, the security chief in the province, told Salam Watandar that suicide bomber rammed a truck loaded with explosives into the German consulate, killing at least 6 civilians and wounding 33. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.
President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has strongly condemned the attack. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also condemned it.
The German diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, while condemning the attack, reiterated its resolve to help Afghanistan become safe and prospers. Walter Hassmann, German Ambassador in Afghanistan said in a message on Saturday that by claiming civilian lives, the Taliban have once again uncovered the hatred they have towards the human beings.
The German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed his condolences to the victims. An official statement quoted him as saying that "all German and Afghan employees of the consulate remained unharmed.”
Germany has 983 soldiers serving with NATO’s Resolute Support military mission in Afghanistan, most of them stationed in Balkh province, of which Mazar-i-Sharif is the capital.
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