In the wake of reports of an explosion at schools in Kabul, Afghanistan, that claimed at least six lives, human rights leaders have condemned the attack.
According to the United Nations, “deadly bomb blasts” at two schools in Afghanistan’s capital injured close to 20 people and injured at least six last Wednesday. UNICEF said there were possibly nine fatalities as well as more than fifty injured and that casualties were expected to rise.
“I am horrified by the brutal attacks targeting school children today in western Kabul, Afghanistan,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell in a statement Tuesday. “The coordinated blasts occurred at the Mumtaz Tuition Center and Abdul Raheem Shaheed High School.”
Both schools are located in the Dasht-e-Barchi area, which is home to predominantly Shiite Muslims, according to the UN. Students were coming out of their morning classes at Abdul Raheem Shaheed – an all-boys school – when the blasts first occurred. More followed later at the Mumtaz Education Centre, which is located close by.
A statement from UN Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Humanitarian Coordinator for Afghanistan Ramiz Alakbarov said that several of the people wounded during the explosions were reported to be in critical condition. Officials in the area are concerned that the number of casualties could grow.
“Violence in or around schools is never acceptable,” said Alakbarov. “For the people of Afghanistan, already beleaguered by forty years of war, schools should be safe havens, and places where children can learn and flourish.”
Attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure such as schools are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law, he added.
UN High Commissioner for refugees Filippo Grandi also condemned the attack.
According to witnesses cited by the Associated Press, “it appeared a suicide bomber blew himself up inside the sprawling compound, which can house up to 1,000 students. It wasn’t immediately clear how many children were in the school when the blast occurred, said the outlet.
Additionally, the AP said that no one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. It said the area has previously been targeted by Afghanistan’s Islamic State affiliate, “which reviles Shiite Muslims as heretics.”
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