The U.N. Security Council on Friday "condemned in the strongest terms" the terrorist attacks near the international airport in Afghanistan's capital Kabul which left many people including civilians and children dead.
In a press statement, the members of the Security Council expressed their "deepest sympathy and condolences" to the families of the victims and reaffirmed that "terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security."
"Deliberately targeting civilians and personnel assisting in the evacuation of civilians is especially abhorrent and must be condemned," the statement said, while urging all parties to "respect their obligations under international humanitarian law in all circumstances, including those related to the protection of civilians."
Two explosions that occurred near the Kabul international airport on Thursday killed scores of people including U.S. military personnel as many countries scramble to evacuate their citizens and affiliated local staff amid deteriorating security conditions following the Taliban's recent takeover.
Islamic State claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks.
The Security Council also stressed "the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice."
It also noted the importance of combating terrorism in the country "to ensure the territory of Afghanistan should not be used to threaten or attack any country."
According to Reuters, Security Council members sought to include a phrase in the press statement that the Taliban should not support terrorists.
But the wording was left out of the final document due to opposition from China, one of the council's five veto-wielding permanent members.
