UN Security Council condemns terror attacks in Afghanistan

UNITED NATIONS, May 1 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council condemned Tuesday "in the strongest terms" the terrorist attacks that took place the day before in Afghanistan.

A series of attacks occurred in the Afghani capital of Kabul and the southern province of Kandahar on Monday, causing at least 41 people killed and 45 injured, the tally at the UN showed.

Among the casualties are women, children, emergency responders, journalists and media workers.

"The members of the Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Afghanistan," the Security Council said in a statement, adding they wished a speedy and full recovery to those injured.

The council reaffirmed terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

It also underlined the need to bring those responsible for the acts to justice, urging all states to cooperate with the government of Afghanistan and all other relevant authorities.

The radical militant group Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks, according to the statement.

On the day of the attacks, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed outrage and extended his deepest condolences to the families of the victims.

He said through a spokesperson that "the deliberate targeting of journalists in the attack highlights once again the risks media professionals face in carrying out their essential work."

Afghanistan has been battered by insurgency over the past couple of decades with the presence of different militant groups including the most dominant Taliban, in addition to al-Qaida and recently the Islamic States. Enditem