We have learnt with great sorrow that many people, among whom five diplomats of the United Arab Emirates who were carrying out humanitarian aid activities and Deputy Governor of Kandahar lost their lives in the terrorist attacks perpetrated in Kandahar and Helmand provinces of Afghanistan on 10 January 2017.

We strongly condemn these barbaric attacks which target the stability and security in Afghanistan and aims to disrupt the humanitarian aid activities towards the friendly and brotherly Afghan people. We wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and speedy recovery to the wounded including the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates and the Governor of Kandahar, and convey our condolences to the peoples of Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates. Turkey will continue to resolutely stand by Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates in the fight against terrorism.